Bangor University Students’ Union April 2015 English Language Issue No

Bangor University Students’ Union April 2015 English Language Issue No. 247 Newspaper FREE @SerenBangor seren.bangor.ac.uk CUCUMBER INTERVIEW SEXY SEREN EDITION GE2015 SPECIAL

WhatUni? Bangor Uni

Bangor named best University for clubs and socieities in the UK by HANNAH YOUD e nominations Bangor received e recognition for Bangor indicates how the role has helped her: “ e role “Riding as part of the Uni team has were: University of the Year and the work the Students’ Union puts in as club captain has helped me become provided a way of relaxing away from angor University’s recent suc- awards for Accommodation, Courses, to create a positive and well-rounded a much more con dent person. It work, making new friends and also a cess has continued by receiving University Facilities, Student Support student experience. Bangor was the has given me excellent organisational sense of achievement at competitions.” the award for Best University and Clubs & Societies. rst University to ensure its clubs and skills, the ability to deal with people e success at the WhatUni Awards BClubs and Societies in the 2015 Wha- Aside from winning the award for societies were free to join back in 2010, and a sense of responsibility which I rmly places Bangor University on the tUni Student Choice Awards. Clubs and Societies, Bangor was also and still remains one of the few Uni- will be able to transfer to a job when map. is latest achievement should Over twenty thousand students from placed third in the UK for Accommo- versities to have made this investment. I graduate.” encourage prospective students to Universities across the UK were able to dation, fourth in the UK for Student It is crucial that clubs and societies are Being part of a society or club can consider the University as one of their post their views on the WhatUni Stu- Support and seventh for the overall accessible, as they give students the also provide a much needed break options and motivate existing students dent Rankings website, and the views University of the Year. Bangor has pre- chance to learn skills outside of their away from the stress of University to make use of the invaluable experi- from Bangor students re ected their viously been placed top in Wales and University course. deadlines. As a member of the Univer- ences our clubs and societies can pro- experience so positively that the Uni- seventh in the UK for student satisfac- Captain of the University’s horse rid- sity equestrian team, Lucy Kitchen de- vide. versity was nominated for six awards. tion this year. ing club, Rachel Billington, explains scribes her involvement with the club:

April Issue 2015 | Seren 3 CONTENTS 29

AMY BLACKWELL EDITOR [email protected] Hey there Bangorians! Welcome 54 to the April Issue. This issue things 32 got a bit steamy in the o ce, so we bring you the Sexy Seren issue! News 4-7 We decided to have a bit of fun this issue and what’s more fun to talk Politics 8-9 about than sex! With S.H.A.G week being last week this issue fell at a General Election 10 really great time. We’ve covered a Business Awards 11 range of sexy topics from sexualisation in the media to our favour- Comment 12-13 ite lm sex scenes to asexuality in Union 14-15 fashion. Everyone got really involved with the theme and I’m re- Science 16-17 ally happy with what we were able Environment 18-19 to produce! Check out page 7 for the most Societies 20-21 scandalous sex news of the year, International 23 page 10 for a run down of the general election debate hosted by Ban- Interview 24 gor Students’ Union, page 25 for Feature 25-27 a review of the documentary lm The Fog of Sex, page 38 for boo- TV 28-29 23 bies through the ages and for Var- sity 2015 highlights check out the Film 30-31 sports pages! Games & Gadgets 32-33 Speaking of Varsity, I would like to say on behalf of all of the Seren Music 34-35 team a huge well done to everyone Books 36-37 that competed at Varsity this year. Bangor performed phenomenally Arts & Culture 38-39 and we well and truly beat Aber. It’s Creative 40-41 a good time to be a proud Bangor Student. As editor I would also like Fashion 42-43 to say a huge well done and a big Health & Beauty 44-45 thank you to my team at Varsity! Especially Steph and Scott for tak- Food & Drink 46-47 ing charge of the organisation of the day. We managed, once again, Travel 48-49 to get the best coverage of the day. Whats On 50 I hope you all enjoy the issue and I wish you all well with upcoming ex- Breaktime 51 ams! I’ll see you again for one nal Sport 53-56 47 13 issue at the end of May! The views presented hereinafter do not represent the views of Seren Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union or Bangor University.

Seren is printed by NWN Media. 34 #247 CONTRIBUTORS Rhys Taylor Anniina Pykönen Joe Smith Lydia Richardson Brad Kennedy Eleanor Randall Mark Stanley Joe Heaford Kit Heeley Nicola Pye Heddwen Creaney LJ Taylor THE TEAM Jack Greenhalgh Vincent Franklin Harrison Alderman Editor Amy Blackwell Science Chris Glass Health & Beauty Emily Rimmer Peter Clarke Jesse Young Hella Wales Deputy Content Stephanie Environment Richard Dalison Creative Corner Liam Shipton Hannah Youd Panos Kokkos Jasper Williams Yeabsley Music Hedd Thomas Arts & Culture Phillip Mott Adam Sherring Joseph Anthony Bethan May Deputy Design Ida Väisänen TV Ryan Jones Fashion Eleanor Hirst Gemma Simmons Martyna Piątowska News Emily Houlston- Film Hannah Travel Kayla Jones Alex Moir Anna Therone Jones McFadyen Food & Drink Callum Muirhead Frances Barcroft The Life of Love Kit Heeley Politics Kate Benn Games Joe Keep Sport Scott Willey Laura Sutton Anonymous Comment J.P. Bebbington Books Jack Upton Harvey John Claire Bennett 4 Seren | April Issue 2015 NEWS In Brief Woman Bangor Uni’s league assaulted in Lidl car park POLICE are seeking witnesses to an assault on a woman that took place in table success Lidl car park in Bangor. e attack took place in broad-daylight, at approximately 2:20pm on Satur- day April 25th. e victim was le need- ing medical treatment a er the attack. A man has been arrested in connec- tion with the crime and bailed pending further enquiries. Police are now calling for two female witnesses to the crime to come forward. Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to call PC 2679 Arwyn Tudur Jones at Bangor Po- lice Station on 101, quoting reference RC15058730. Welsh government to consider establishing GIC THE Welsh Assembly has voted in favour of possibly opening a Gender Iden- tity Clinic (GIC) in Wales, the rst of its kind for the country. An independent study will be held to determine the feasibility of opening a GIC. e league table, published on e Bangor University also came third in at Bangor University. Currently, Wales is the only one of Complete University Guide website Wales in the table, following Cardi “I would like to thank our academ- the four home nations without a GIC, and endorsed by e Times Higher and Swansea, and beating Aberyst- ics and support sta for all their e orts meaning that Welsh-domiciled trans Education supplement, takes several wyth, who tail behind at 87th place. once again.” people are forced to travel to England factors into account when deciding on e rankings also saw Bangor plac- e Complete University Guide for certain treatments. rankings. ese are: Entry standards, ing in the top 10 in four di erent sub- success comes hot on the heels of an- A 2012 study for the Welsh NHS by EMILY HOULSTON JONES student satisfaction, research quality ject areas. other league table triumph for Bangor showed that there are over 31,000 trans [email protected] and graduate prospects. Bangor per- e data compiled to create the University, with Bangor University people currently living in Wales. angor University has climbed formed well in the student satisfac- rankings comes from several di erent coming 7th nationwide in WhatUni’s Peter Black, Shadow Equalities Min- six places in the newly-released tion category, beating the top ve UK sources, such as the National Student national ranking, which is based on ister for the Liberal Democrats, who Complete University Guide universities, which include Cambridge Survey (the NSS) and the Higher Edu- student feedback on aspects of univer- Branking. and Oxford. It also performed well in cation Statistics Agency (HESA.) sity life such as accommodation, city proposed the amendment, said: “ is is an important rst step in nally ensur- A new league table, published on the research quality category, re ect- Speaking of the new ranking, Vice- life, clubs and societies, courses and ing that Welsh trans people don’t have April 27th, saw Bangor University ing the fact that over 75% of Bangor Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes lecturers, job prospects, student un- to travel to the other side of the UK to climb from 64th to 58th in the UK, University’s research is world-class. said: “I am once again very pleased ion, and facilities. receive treatment.” making it one of only two Welsh uni- However, the university is currently with this performance which under- versities to improve on last year’s posi- trailing behind in the entry standards lines the excellent quality of teaching Academics tion. and degree completion categories. and fantastic experience students have recieve fellowship Protests over adult education cuts FOUR Bangor University academics have been elected Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales. by IDA VÄISÄNEN said: “ ese cuts are a devastating Glyn Jones, chief executive at Grŵp tional Union of Students attended the e elected fellows are: Professor Lud- blow to colleges and risk decimating Llandrillo Menai, said: “Grŵp Lla- protest, as did Clwyd West parliamen- mila Kuncheva, School of Computer n Wednesday April 22nd, further education. ndrillo Menai supports the protests tary candidates Marc Jones and Ga- Science; Professor Rhiannon Tudor demonstrations against edu- “Slashing budgets this harshly could being taken by the recognised Trade reth omas. Edwards, Professor of Health Econom- cation cuts were held on on be the nal nail in the co n for many Unions against further education Jones said: “Further education is ColegO Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea and of the courses that help people get funding cuts. bearing the brunt of education cuts at ics and Co-director of Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation; Rhyl campuses, with additional pro- back to work.” “We are concerned that the funding a time when we should be investing in Professor Helen Wilcox, School of Eng- tests at sites in Denbigh, Bangor and “ is approach will shut the door cuts will lead to a reduction in part- training, skills and vocational educa- lish Literature; and Professor Angharad Pwllheli. to hundreds of thousands of people time course opportunities for many tion for our youngsterand mature stu- Price, School of Welsh. e University College Union pre- who want to use adult education as working adults. dents.” Professor John G Hughes, Vice-Chan- dicts that there will be an average a springboard for improving their “Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is working “Colleges who face this scale of cuts cellor of Bangor University said: “I’m de- budget cut of 6.1 per cent in Wales skills.” hard to mitigate the e ects of the cuts will have no option but to slash both lighted that another four of our academ- over the next two years, which could e protests received the backing in funding, by developing new initia- courses and sta numbers and that’s ics have been recognised and honoured lead to job losses and possible course of Grwp Llandrillo Menai, with Plaid tives to secure additional funding and why I’m joining the gate protest in with Fellowships of the Learned Society changes. Cymru also tabling a motion in the enable a good range of courses for support of them.” of Wales. is is a further re ection of Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, Senedd opposing the cuts on the same adults to run in September. “ the individual’s prominence within their day. Lecturers and members of the Na- respective academic disciplines.” April Issue 2015 | Seren 5 NEWS In Brief Bangor psychologist Bangor museum rebranded crushes depression myth GWYNEDD Museum and Art Gal- lery, located in the centre of Bangor, has been renamed Storiel. e name is intended to re ect the stories told by the artworks and artefacts house in the building. e rebrand comes ahead of the museum’s move to new facilities at the old Town Hall Building. e rebrand and renovation of new facilities is partially funded by Bangor University, alongside Gwynedd Coun- cil, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, Bangor City Council, Gar eld Weston Foundation, e Wolfson Foundation and the Ashley Foundation. Professor Jerry Hunter, of Bangor Uni- versity, said: “Storiel is an excellent name which suggests creativity, excitement, originality and endless possibilities. “With a number of developments going ahead in Bangor, including the Pon- tio development, it is part of an exciting phase in the cultural history of north west Wales.” Bangor SU tionship Between the Pharmaceutical depression,” writes Healy, “even though cording to Healy. Industry and Depression, contends that they were weaker than older tricyclic at led to what he calls a “costly dis- scoop NUS psychiatrists still don’t have a clear under- antidepressants, and sold the idea that traction,” where, meanwhile, “more ef- standing of how selective serotonin reup- depression was the deeper illness behind fective and less costly” treatments were awards take inhibitors (SSRIs) precisely work. the super cial manifestations of anxiety.” marginalized. by IDA VÄISÄNEN SSRIs are a class of several drugs for Healy describes the approach as an “as- “ e success of the SSRIs pushed older BANGOR University’s Student Union [email protected] mood disorder — they include citalo- tonishing success, central to which was tricyclic antidepressants out of the mar- had a runaway success at this year’s an- pram (Celexa), uoxetine (Prozac), and the notion that SSRIs restored serotonin ket.” nual National Union of Students awards he belief that depression is ceremony, winning four awards a er be- caused by low levels of seroto- sertraline (Zolo ). levels to normal, a notion that later trans- at said, Healy stresses that seroto- In an editorial for Bioscience Technol- muted into the idea that they remedied a nin “is not irrelevant”, but the marketing ing nominated for eight. nin - and that certain antide- e union won the most prestigious Tpressants raise the levels of this neu- ogy, Healy writes that the link between chemical imbalance.” history of SSRIs raises questions about award, Student Union of the Year, as well rotransmitter - is a myth, according to low levels of serotonin and depression has Despite the insubstantial evidence whether “a plausible but mythical account been “the marketing of a myth” perpetu- about SSRIs abilities to restore abnormal of biology and treatment” has allowed as the Diversity, Education, and Student one Bangor professor. Opportunities. David Healy, a professor of psychiatry ated by pharmaceutical companies a er serotonin levels in the brain, this thinking physicians to “put aside clinical trial data the 1980s, when concerns emerged about persists because it was adopted by physi- that show no evidence of lives saved or Rhys Taylor, the President of the Stu- at Bangor University and author of Let dent’s Union, said: em Eat Prozac: e Unhealthy Rela- tranquilizer dependence. cians as a simple way to communicate the restored function.” “Drug companies marketed SSRIs for disorder and its treatment to patients, ac- “We’re extremely proud of our achievements as a student body and as an organisation. We are very pleased to have won these national awards. ese are in addition to being recognised by HEFCW and the QAA for our work in academic representation over the last two years for innovative sector leading work. e good, the cheap, “Our focus in recent years has been on opening up our services to students, academic representation led by students, and improving access to extracurricular activities to allow students to shape and enhance their own student experiences. and the ugly Winning these awards is a testament to will re-open in September 2015. skills that will be invaluable in the world the work of the Students’ Union and the e shop o ered customers the chance of work.” students involved in activity right across to both save the fruit and veg which e spokesperson claimed that the re- the organisation. would otherwise be wasted at land ll sponse from customers was so positive “We’ve ensured that students are at the sites, eat healthier, and buy fruit and veg that students will not only be re-opening heart of the design, development and re- at a much cheaper price than at super- the shops doors in September, but are view of their education. We’ve removed market retailers. Goods available to pur- also looking to develop the Ugly Food barriers to participation by introducing by STEPHANIE YEABSLEY chase included ‘Soup in a Sack’ and fresh brand even further. free clubs and societies with targeted [email protected] smoothies, as well as loose fruit and veg. School of Psychology student Dan Tay- events for international and postgradu- While made available to the public and lor, who managed the shop, said: “ e ate students. We’re campaigning to erad- hroughout March, ‘ e Ugly opened on Bangor’s High Street, the shop ugly food shop has taught me of the po- icate homophobia and transphobia in Food Shop’ was open in Ban- was managed and created by Bangor Uni- tential to become an entrepreneur in the sport and we’ve led on research into LG- gor’s Deiniol Shopping Centre. versity students. A university spokesper- future. It has been a really worthwhile BTQ+ students’ experiences of higher T e shop sold irregular or ugly look- son stated that “the shop brought a new experience and great to be able to be in- education, and our work on education ing fruit and veg that do not meet con- lease of life to Bangor’s Deiniol Shopping volved in a venture which seems to have forms the direction of University policy ventional standards set by supermar- Centre, as well as allowing students to de- been able to meet a need in the commu- and development each academic year.” kets. Due to its popularity, the shop velop vital enterprise and employability n it y.” 6 Seren | April Issue 2015 NEWS In Brief King Arthur comes to Homeward Bound 3: Llanfairfechan North Wales A LOST dog has found his way back to his owner a er catching a train and ending up 30 miles away from home. Murphy le owner Bill O’Hagan during a match at Llanfairfechan Town Football Club on April 25th and board- ed a train to Llandudno Junction. He was spotted by an Arriva Trains conductor, who took him to her home in Holyhead. Murphy was reunited with his family a er they phoned an Abergele kennel and were told to get in touch with the British Transport Police. Bill’s son, Rory, said: “We were very re- lieved to have got him back. We’ve had him since he was a pup.”

Police on lm NORTH Wales Police have an- nounced a new initiative; introducing chest-mounted cameras for police of- cers. It is hoped that the move will enable o cers to better capture evidence, avoid confrontation, and improve con dence and transparency. 128 camera kits will be deployed across north Wales. e devices are already being employed by 30 forces across Eng- land and Wales. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki has spoken of the initiative, saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words. e injured party may have inju- lming locations harkens back to King to see they’ve got a smash on their hands. when we saw the lm crew. ries and marks on them which may not Arthur’s Welsh origins. “ e vast landscape makes it look like We then sat up on one of the ledges be visible later but will be instantly cap- e lm will star Charlie Hunnam as the series is going to be the next Lord of and watched the stuntmen climb to the tured using the body-worn video.” King Arthur, Jude Law as Vortigern, and the Rings.” pinnacle and jump the 80 down to the North Wales Police and Crime Com- by EMILY HOULSTON JONES Eric Bana as Arthur’s father. Also join- A resident of Llanberis has also caught water. ing the cast is Aiden Gillen (Game of footage of a stuntman jumping 80 into It makes you realise how many people missioner Winston Roddick has also [email protected] commented on the plans, saying: “Body- rones’ Little nger.) Llyn Padarn. Melanie Collie, who caught are involved in shooting a few scenes, we worn video is a good use of modern Guy Ritchie lm began lming It is planned that the lm will kick-start the footage, said ““I take photos around heard some local people were employed technology to improve the e ectiveness in Snowdonia this month. a six-part lm franchise, and is due for re- Llyn Padarn area most days but I was late to help with climbing and securing equip- of policing and of the criminal justice Knights of the Round Table: lease in July 2016. It is expected that the getting up one morning. ment and we’re looking forward to seeing AKing Arthur began lming in the Tryfan lm will boost tourism in north Wales. “So going for my walk with a camera the lm next year.” system more generally, because the camera doesn’t lie.” area of Snowdonia in the middle of the An onlooker to the lm shoot, speaking and my other half, who is a climber, we month, before moving onto Gwern Gof to the Daily Post, said “It was di cult to were walking up to check a climbing Isaf, and Nant Gwynant. e choice of get sight of the remote shoot, but it’s clear route on the slate in the Vivian Quarry, 40,000 le waiting for ambulances NEW gures released by the Betsi Former harbourmaster Cadwalader University Health Board show that more than 40,000 North Wales patients have been le waiting for an ambulance. e targeted arrival time for ambu- jailed for child sex o ences lances responding to the most serious of emergencies is currently 8 minutes. ing late at work or while his wife was Judge Walters said Jones had become enjoyed. e gures show that the health by IDA VÄISÄNEN in bed at home, the court heard. addicted to pornography, but that in- “ e images are of real children... boards ambulances responded on time When police o cers raided the terest had then “escalated” to images every time somebody views that on a to only 63% of emergency calls made n 17th of April, a former home of the former Caernarfon har- of children. He said: “Having viewed a page, that still happens to them.” between January 2012 and December Caernarfon harbourmaster bourmaster, they found a total of 546 few, you became used to it.” e judge sentenced Jones to a three- 2014. was sentenced to a three- yearO community order at Caernarfon indecent images on his computer, Judge Walters said Jones had lost his year community order to treat his in- Welsh politicians have responded to laptop, and mobile phone, as well as a home and resigned from his job, he terest “in this kind of pornography”. the gures, with Darren Millar AM, the Crown Court. movie. said Jones had become “a recluse” and Jones also received a ve-year Sexual current Conservative Shadow Minister Richard Jones, 43, of Ffordd Eryri, e o ences took place between 8 “ashamed e ectively of holding your O ences Prevention Order, meaning for Health, saying that the health board Caernarfon, had previously pleaded July, 2010 and 1 May, 2014. head up in public”. he will have to register as a sex o end- “put lives at risk”, and AM Aled Roberts guilty to 12 charges of making and Defense barrister Sarah Barlow said e judge said: “It’s easy for me to er for ve years, and is understood to saying the new was “horrendous.” possessing indecent images of children. Jones had “destroyed his life and ulti- say that is something that you brought have le his role as harbourmaster in e former harbourmaster, who was mately what he had worked for.” She upon yourself. You have shown a de- June 2014. “addicted to pornography”, watched said treatment “might be the best way sire to stop this sort of o ending and sexual images of children while stay- forward”, adding that he had no previ- behaviour. You want to see if you can ous convictions. restore something of the dignity you April Issue 2015 | Seren 7 NEWS sexyNews Man caught having sex with postbox

Paul Bennett, 45, was caught getting hot and heavy with a postbox in the middle of a shopping centre this January. Mr Bennett allegedly rubbed himself against the postbox whilst holding his hands in the air and shout- ing “wow.” The incident took place in Wigan. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent exposure at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court.

Mo’ sex mo’ money Nigel Farage isn’t sexy

A recent poll asking women’s opinions on the attractiveness of male political party leaders saw Nigel Farage placing dead last. Nigel Clegg led the way, with David Cameron and Ed Miliband coming second and third, respectively. The poll was conducted by YouGov. The Millifandom and Cameronettes have yet to comment on the poll results.

A recent survey (released in April 2015) has shown people who have sex 2-to- 3 times a week earn more money than their less amorous counterpoints. There is a di erence of 4.5% between the total earnings of the two groups. The study, which was performed by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University, found no correlation between sexual activity and work performance, however. Vatican gay orgies allegations A priest from the north of Italy – who as of yet is unnamed, and is also said to have connections to the highest echelons of the Vatican – has allegedly confessed to partaking in all-male orgies. The priest confessed, in online correspondence with an acquaintance, to having engaged in sexual relations with other high-ranking Catholic Church gures, as well as members of the Swiss Guard. Catho- lic priests are forbidden from partaking in sexual contact or intercourse with either sex. The priest has been removed from his post. 8 Seren | April Issue 2015 POLITICS General Election: who gets your vote? With the general election fast approaching, who will you be giving your vote? We at Seren give you a run- down of what each party has to o er, to make that all-important decision just a little bit easier

Conservatives Liberal Democrats Ukip ECONOMY ECONOMY ECONOMY • Eliminate the de cit and run a • End de cit by 2017/18 with a • Remove EU directives which surplus by the end of the par- mixture of spending cuts and hamper the British economy liament tax rises • Negotiate a bespoke trade • Aim for full employment for all • Expand apprenticeships and agreement with Europe those willing to work develop national colleges for • Enhance the UK’s position at • Fund 3 million apprenticeships vocational skills the World Trade Organisation • Triple the number of start-up • Raise £1bn from extra corpora- loans to businesses to 75,000 tion tax on banking sector IMMIGRATION • Points system used to select mi- IMMIGRATION IMMIGRATION grants with skills and attributes • "Ambition" to keep annual net Labour • Restore full entry and exit bor- needed to work in the country migration in tens of thousands der checks Plaid Cymru • Immigration capped at 50,000 • EU migrants to wait four years ECONOMY • End inde nite detention for people a year for skilled workers before they can claim certain ECONOMY • Five-year ban on immigration • No additional borrowing for immigration purposes • Help Welsh businesses grow by bene ts or social housing new spending • Phase out child bene t for chil- for unskilled workers • No out of work bene ts for increasing business rates relief • Five-year wait before migrants • Raise minimum wage to £8 an dren living outside the UK in Wales and supporting Welsh migrants or child bene t for hour by 2020 can claim bene ts dependents living outside UK exports overseas • Apprenticeship for every school EDUCATION • Introduce an Economic Fair- leaver who gets the grades • Guarantee quali ed teachers, a EDUCATION EDUCATION ness Bill to ensure that wealth is • Scrap sex education for primary core curriculum and sex educa- shared out fairly within the UK • Create at least a further 500 free IMMIGRATION tion in all state schools school children schools in England by 2020 • Create 50,000 jobs in Wales by • Allow secondary schools to be- • 1,000 new border sta and exit • A plan to end child illiteracy by giving more Welsh public sector • Immediate support to turn checks 2025 come grammar schools around failing schools contracts to companies working • Scrap fees for students taking • Make it illegal for employers to • 15 hours a week free childcare in Wales • 30 hours free childcare for undercut British workers by ex- from the end of paid parental degrees in science, technology, working parents of three- and ploiting migrants leave maths or engineering on condi- four-year-olds IMMIGRATION tion they pay UK tax and work • Two-year wait before EU mi- • Create a Welsh Migration Ser- grants can claim out-of-work HEALTH in the discipline for ve years HEALTH vice to ensure that migration upon completing studying bene ts • Increase real terms NHS fund- meets Welsh needs • Increase NHS spending in ing at least £8bn a year by 2020, • Abolish Key Stage 1 SAT tests at England by at least £8bn above • Protect local workers by primary school level EDUCATION starting with an extra £1bn a strengthening the Gangmasters in ation • Protect education budget for year until 2018 • Seven-day access to GPs by Licensing Act, making it ille- HEALTH 0-19 year olds • £3.5bn extra for mental health gal to o er unfair advantage 2020 & same day appointments • Cut university tuition fees to including £1.25bn for chil- • Spend £200m on scrapping for over-75s when needed to migrant workers over local hospital car parking charges £6,000 a year dren and teenagers and £250m workers. • Improve access to mental • Ensure all primary schools for pregnant women and new • Insist migrants and visitors to health treatments • Work across the UK and EU to UK have private health insur- guarantee access to childcare mums with depression prevent modern slavery from 8am to 6pm ance WELFARE • Extra £1.2bn a year for social WELFARE EDUCATION • Make £12bn welfare savings HEALTH • Scrap housing bene t cuts for care • Household bene t cap cut • ICT and modern languages will • Extra £2.5bn funding for the tenants with spare rooms un- be taught from an early age, and from £26,000 to £23,000 a year NHS, to pay for 20,000 more less they refuse a smaller prop- WELFARE • Replace JSA for 18-21-year- modern language GCSE made • Five-year wait before migrants nurses, 3,000 midwives and erty compulsory olds with a Youth Allowance 8,000 GPs • A carer’s bonus of £250p.a. by can claim bene ts limited to six months and end • New National Curriculum for • Scrap housing bene t changes • Repeal the Health and Social 2020 Wales, ensuring a “positive un- their automatic housing bene t Care Act and cap the amount • A "yellow card" to give people related to bedrooms derstanding of the history of • Restrict child bene t to two of pro t private rms can make a warning before bene ts are Wales” ENVIRONMENT from the NHS at 5% withdrawn children and stop paying it all • Spend more than £3bn to 2020 together for children who do • End 15 minute care visits HEALTH improving the environment ENVIRONMENT not live in Britain • Phase out subsidies for new on- • Oppose and reject privatisation WELFARE • Double renewable electricity by • Train and recruit 1,000 addi- shore wind farms • Guaranteed job for under-25s 2020, aim to decarbonise the ENVIRONMENT • Invest £500m over the next ve tional doctors for the Welsh • Protect the Green Belt unemployed for over a year and power sector by 2030, leading NHS years towards making most ve- for adults unemployed over two to a zero carbon Britain by • End so-called “green taxes” to hicles zero emission by 2050 • Keep prescriptions free in Wales cut fuel bills years, paid for by taxing bank- 2050 • Raise awareness of mental ers’ bonuses • Plant 750,000 trees a year • Prioritise support for organic DEFENCE health issues and increase ac- farms • Scrap the "bedroom tax" • Charge for plastic bags cess to talking therapies • Renew Trident with four new • Cap structural welfare spending nuclear-armed submarines to DEFENCE DEFENCE WELFARE maintain continuous at sea nu- ENVIRONMENT • Ban arms exports to countries • Create a Veterans Department clear deterrent • Scrap the bedroom tax to look a er the interests of ex- • Freeze energy bills until 2017 agged up by the FCO’s human • Ensure that the new single-tier • No further cuts in the regular and give energy regulator new rights report service men and women Armed Forces pension is a Living Pension for • Keep Britain’s nuclear deterrent powers to cut bills this winter • Help service personnel and vet- all • Increase spending on defence • Prioritise ood prevention erans with mental health prob- • Cut foreign aid from 0.7% to equipment by 1% a year 0.2% of national income • End badger culling lems ENVIRONMENT • Reduce energy emissions by DEFENCE 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 • Strategic Security and Defence • Improve energy e ciency with- Review in the home • Make it illegal to discriminate against or abuse members of the DEFENCE Armed Forces • Oppose the renewal of Trident • International LGBT Rights En- nuclear weapons system voy and a Global Envoy for Re- • Create a new Minister for Vet- ligious Freedom erans in the UK Cabinet • Wales to have a seat at United Nations April Issue 2015 | Seren 9 POLITICS Local MP weighs in on possible future for Wales by JACK GREENHALGH ere are 40 Westminster seats in We hope to retain all 3 [of our seats]; has always been the Cinderella of the as it is about getting your teeth xed. Wales; only 3 of them are occupied we have our eyes on at least another National Health Service, but if you ywel Williams is a mem- by Plaid Cymru. Why is that? 3, maybe 4. at’ll be a minor earth- look at what happened in Wales; we’ve e question that’s on every stu- ber of parliament for the quake in Wales, because we’ve had this shut large mental health hospitals. dent’s lips: tuition fees. Could you Welsh national party Plaid In some ways, having 3 seats in Wales long domination of the Labour party. I North Wales used to be served by outline the party’s policies on tui- CymruH and represents the Ar- really is deceptive; in Wales we’re big- won on 36% last time. one big hospital. At one time there tion fees and for supporting Welsh fon constituency, which includes Universities? Bangor and the surrounding area. We opposed tuition fees when La- What do you think about the SNP bour brought them in. I went to uni- holding the balance of power over a versity in the 70s and 80s and I was minority Labour government with actually paid to go to university. We the aim to amend budgets in Scot- are in favour of a universal system of land’s favour, detracting attention higher education that’s free of fees. away from Wales? Other countries do it, or they might make a nominal charge each semes- We’ve been in a relationship with the ter, just to keep people engaged. at green party and the SNP for the last 5 might be necessary, but who knows? years. And I fully expect if we hold the balance of power it will be SNP, Plaid To summarise, what 3 key actions and Green, rather than just the SNP. could a Bangor student expect from ere should be a reassessment of Plaid Cymru government? the funding Wales gets, we had the Silk commission and the Holtham com- We’d be pushing for better funding mission looking into this, and they from the assembly, which means even- all agree that Wales [has been] under- tually better funding for public servic- funded at least by 1,2,3 or 4 hundred es in general, and certainly higher ed- million pounds every year since the ucation (including research funding). 70s. e second is a general one rather What Wales has actually been of- than one for the university: greater fered is this: we won’t give you more, powers for the assembly. We have to but we’ll make sure that you don’t fall have a more coherent system of gov- below a certain point. A er a lot of ger than we appear. (Plaid Cymru oc- were over 3,000 people living there, ernment in Wales; our present govern- thinking we said that we’re not going cupy 11/60 seats in the Welsh Assem- How is Plaid Cymru planning to most of them didn’t need to be there. ment doesn’t work well enough. to bother with all that; we’ll have the bly.) People join the Labour party and face mental health, and how do you Now it’s been shut down and services And the third thing I’ll do if I get same as Scotland please. If we’re going the Tory party because they want to be think your experiences of working moved out into the community, but elected is that I’ll provide MP services to be equal with Scotland it comes out politicians and they want to be minis- in mental health have shaped this? ine ciently so. We need more com- like I have in the past. Solving all kinds as £1.2Bn. ters, I’m never going to be a minister, munity-based services. of problems from immigration to ben- e reason for that is because they I’m never going to be prime minster. I chaired the committee, and mental It should also be destigmatised, peo- e ts. (Westminster) are scared sh*tless of Plaid therefore tends to attract people health law was transferred to Cardi , ple point, and I don’t think that should the SNP. who’ll stand for them because they be- in, I think two meetings. be the case. Make it as usual to see lieve in the stu . Funding is essential. Mental health someone about the emotional distress

Leanne Wood visits Bangor

by PETER CLARKE speare, "commeth the hour, commeth Wales had not seen the supposed eco- best interests of the Welsh people and the Labour party, but only a er being the woman." nomic recovery which the contempo- the environment in which they live. certain that Labour would not imple- eanne Wood of Plaid Cymru In contrast to what was heard during rary coalition maintains was success- Leanne posits that the nationalism of ment "Tory policy." is is interesting has seen a surge of popular- Candidate Question Time in M.A.L.T. ful, highlighting the 31% child poverty the party is bene cial for "anybody to hear, as the consistent smearing of ity over the last few weeks due on April 15th, personal anecdotes rate and the increase of those working who lives in this territory called Wales the Conservative party by Labour, Lto her appearance on the leaders’ de- were kept to a minimum; Wood kept on a zero-hour contract. and has a stake in its future, regardless and vice versa, have been predomi- bates, especially due to her criticisms on topic of policy and stated simply Another main policy was parity with of their background. We want to make nantly hypocritical. Both parties have of Nigel Farage's disparaging remark that she witnessed the miners' strike Scotland, concerning nancial sup- sure that the Wales we create is a Wales implemented similar policies, their on HIV patients from other countries. when she was 13 years old and that port, additional resources, and the for everybody to be involved in." approaches to public services being Previously, the party had not received this event was to have a considerable halting of further cuts. According to It was refreshing that when receiving but one example. Leanne concluded such coverage despite its rich history in uence on her politics. Her main Leanne this would reduce unemploy- questions from the audience in Powis the lecture with a Raymond Wil- and it being founded in 1925, so it was political stances, and those addressed ment, and less people would be re- Hall, in contrast to many politicians liams quote, which further illustrates with little surprise that on April 23rd, during the lecture, were an anti-aus- quired to leave Wales in order to seek who seem adept at skirting round the richness of Wales and its people, Powis Hall was packed. Dafydd Wig- terity position, suggesting that cuts to opportunities. Moreover, Plaid Cymru questions, she responded concisely who Plaid Cymru claim to lend an in- ley gave opening remarks, and Hywel public services such as the NHS have prioritise the transferring of control of and to the point. When asked if she creased voice to within the UK. William's introduced Leanne apposite only bene ted the richer members of from Westminster to Wales, not just would make pacts with the Tory party, to the birth date and passing of Shake- society, and that those still living in Cardi , but all of Wales, to make sure she answered bluntly "no," elaborat- poverty, and in periphery locations of that more resources are used in the ing that they would possibly support 10 Seren | April Issue 2015

GENERAL ELECTION 2015 University Question Time by ELEANOR HIRST minutes. dent tuition fees and living costs. e Rhys Taylor had organized the four the SLP were proposing a £10 an hour With a swi rise to the oor, Labour Labour candidate fully supports the main parties of the Gwynedd area, but minimum wage. Alun Pugh stated that s the General Election (7th candidate Alun Pugh stated that La- fees being decreased to £6000 for Eng- a dramatic entrance was made when Labour will increase the national min- May) gets closer, Bangor Uni- bour’s values were based on equality. lish students studying in Welsh uni- the Socialist Labour Party candidate imum wage to £8. Anwen for the Con- versity’s Debating Society have Anwen, the candidate for the Welsh versities. However, the costs for Welsh wanted her voice heard as part of a servatives stated that the living wage Acooperated with Bangor’s Student Un- Conservative Party, argued that her students studying at Welsh universities democratic debate. Catherine Jones should be aspired to. Whilst Hywel ion to bring us ‘Candidate Question party was based on aspirations and ‘to was not mentioned. e Welsh Con- joined us in the debate around half an Williams stated that ‘people should not T i m e’. encourage you to dream big’. Hywel servative candidate stated her honesty, hour into it. Taylor, who is President be dependent on the state and a move If you’re familiar with the format Williams, the Plaid Cymru candidate, that tuition fees would not be decreas- of Bangor University’s Student Un- towards a living wage would move and structure of Candidate Question stands for the people of Wales, who are ing under a Conservative led govern- ion, stated that the reason for the SLP them from relying on this’. Time, this needs little explanation. If looking for the opportunity to balance ment, much to the displeasure of the candidate not being invited was ‘that Most of the parties, except UKIP, you’re not, here’s the low-down: the the power in London. Mohammed students present at question time. e we would be inviting candidates who were opposed to Trident, stating that it host of the debate was Lucy Grimes, Shultan, the Liberal Democrats can- Socialist Labour Party proposed the polled more than 10% locally last elec- could not be justi ed. e parties n- the president of the debating society, didate, stated that he wanted to apolo- abolishment of tuition fees on a whole. tion, is was decided by the SU prior ished with discussing sexual and men- who questioned the leaders on certain gise to students for the tuition-fee rises e UKIP candidate proposed tuition to invitation, a decision taken as a way tal health,with Hywel Williams stating topics: education, welfare, and housing and wants to help undo the damage fees being reduced to £3000 for sci- of focusing lobbying activity on candi- that sexual health conditions need to were covered extensively. e parties done. Simon Hall, UKIP candidate, ence, maths, and engineering degrees, dates and parties that may be able to be normalized. However, it needs to be included in the debate were the Lib- described UKIP as the ‘new kids on which de nitely disgruntled the arts in uence government policy a er 7th said that most of the parties (Conserv- eral Democrats, Welsh Labour, Welsh the block’ and they want to help Wales & humanities students. e Liberal May. atives, UKIP) de ected the question Conservatives, UKIP and the Social- develop. Democrat candidate proposed the tui- e debate then moved on to the posed, and referred more to mental ist Labour Party. e candidates rst For a student-led question time, it tion fees being reduced a er the de cit subject of the living wage. e Social- health conditions. introduced themselves in a quick 3 made sense to open the debate on stu- is reduced. ist Labour Party Candidate stated that

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nominations close Monday 11th May - so move fast! 12 Seren | April Issue 2015 COMMENT Is the media too sexualised?

ince this is the Sexy Seren issue, I began to wonder about sex in media as a whole. is month has seen the return of Game of rones to our screens - the very show for which the term sexposition (the revelation of plot details with sex performed during the scene) was coined - and before this there was the false removal of the removal of page three from e Sun. It made me wonder why there is so muchS focus on sex in modern media, and if it were possible to go too far. by J.P. BEBBINGTON

jority of the models pictured on page 3 are white, cisgendered, slim women and they argued against the lack of representation of people of colour, transgendered and plus-sized models, and men. Despite being against no more page 3 I completely agree with this assessment. e media, instead NO of desexualising needs more representation. I rmly believe that a person should be allowed to by AMY BLACKWELL present themselves in whatever way they want to, sexual or not and the only way to achieve equal es. Sex does sell. at is a sad fact about media representation is not to demonise human our society. But the only reason this is a sexuality. American Apparel have been guilty of sad fact is because as well as hungering af- this. ey were penalised online for the over sex- Yter sex, we as a society condemn it. Which, for me alisation of female advertising when compared to is the bigger problem. Our society both requires their male marketing, especially in cases where sex and refuses to celebrate it. For sexual beings clothing was unisex. sexualisation is an instinctual thing, for some its a What really needs to happen is the “normali- part of being human. Why is it that this perfectly sation” of sexuality. If we discussed sex, healthy human concept is seen as a taboo? desire and diverse sexuality more openly than Women are simultaneously sexualised and for- media sexualisation wouldn’t be shocking or neg- bidden from being sexual. is is a huge double ative and instead would be more diverse and cel- standard in society and it is one I feel we need to ebratory. People should be allowed to the space to overcome. We cannot do so if we keep condemn- be themselves in every capacity, I do not believe ing sexuality. If we keep viewing these things as in a culture that tells me I can only have a certain a taboo we will never be able to accept women slice of the pie. I believe in one that gives me the as free sexual beings and we will never be able to option to eat the whole pie. As long as it is safe, establish equality in human sexuality. sane and consensual then sexuality and sexualisa- During the Page 3 debates in Bangor last year tion needn’t be a negative thing. those for no more page 3 argued the inequality of representation in the Sun and the Star. e ma-

there will never be a consensus on this subject. moting boxer shorts or aunting a ershave. Al- Personally, I hate the concept of Page 3. I ab- though, this is nothing compared to the scale and hor the idea that news and pornography are so manner in which women are portrayed. Men ap- closely linked in the British consciousness. But pear in monochrome sense with edgy rock mu- that’s just my opinion. I have no right to wag sic playing in the background; the model reclines NOT in a bathtub smoking a cigarette before wearing my nger at the women who pose for these YESby JACK GREENHALGH sunglasses and staring into the middle distance of pictures, or at the people who enjoy them. the New York skyline. Altogether, a debonair and Live and let live. As long as you’re not hurting t’s simple: sex sells. In magazines, newspapers and on websites, women lean sensuously over classy a air. anyone or breaking the law, do whatever the Music videos are the crown jewel of sex in the hell you want. If that means avoiding even the car bonnets or suggestively peel away at choc- olateI ake wrappers. Feminist Germaine Greer media. eir unapologetic use of barely clothed QUITE merest whisper of sex in the media, good on women has been the cornerstone of any good mu- sums up by saying that “Men are in the news and you. If that means pausing every nude scene on by EMILY HOULSTON JONES women are in the advertising.” sic video since 1981 when MTV began. Game of rones so you can get an extra good Robin icke’s Blurred Lines caused outrage, t’s reductive to debate whether the media Page 3 has always been a controversial issue and look at Daenerys’ boobs, good on you too. Just has recently attracted more public heat as it was not only for the use of half naked women hold- is too sexualised because there is no ideal don’t be a hypocrite As a society, we Brits are ing goats and licking their lips, but more so for amount of media sexulisation. ere’s no allegedly removed, then reinstated two days later pretty damn hypocritical about the sexualiza- the lyrics. Banned from many universities in 2013; magicI formula, no ideal number. We’re never in January earlier this year. tion of the media. Zoo, Playboy, and Page 3 have been the battle- icke speaks about consent in a rather worrying going to be able to say, as a nation: “Yes! ere manner. e videos 384,109,070 views on You- we have it! We have a collective media with the We condemn it: how many times have you grounds of feminists for years. Women freely ex- seen a hand-wringing newspaper article about pressing themselves empower some, whereas oth- Tube really prove a point: sex sells. perfect amount of sexualisation. We can stop Are women empowered by their free choice to writing endless articles about Nicki Minaj’s a scantily-clad female singer, or the amount of ers feel degraded. Personally, I see nothing wrong with Page 3, but if you’re going to have it, why not parade themselves, or are they ultimately con- bum now.” nudity on television? But on the other hand, forming to male expectation? Everyone has their own limits; you might we revel in it. Our newspapers feature topless have men too? Men get their fair share of topless action pro- cringe while seeing boobs in Game of rones, women, and women in music videos seem to and your best friend might positively adore it. be wearing less clothes than ever before. As a at’s ne. Everyone’s di erent. is is why nation: is judgmental, hypocritical attitude needs to stop. April Issue 2015 | Seren 13 COMMENT

Ida is an international student working in liasion with the international o ce. Every issue she’ll write about her experiences in Bangor. by IDA VÄISÄNEN

I would like to tell you about two recent events. e rst one took Don’t be silly, cover place at Helsinki airport on my latest trip back to Bangor. I met two kids and their mother. e kids were born in the UK but because their mother is Finnish, they visit Finland regularly and spoke perfect Finnish. We had to your willy wait a while to get on the plane and chatted pleasantly, but right before we got to step into the plan, one of by J.P. BEBBINGTON know how important it is to play it rise. Many STIs can be treated but contraceptive is the humble condom. the kids suddenly got upset. safe. some, like Herpes, are incurable. It ey can come in either latex or lamb- “I like Finland,” he nally man- ’m afraid it’s come to that moment Cases of HIV have doubled in the makes sense, therefore, to take meas- skin, and are the most e ective con- aged to say when I asked what was when we need to talk about sexual last ten years, and there are now ures to prevent it. traceptive for preventing the spread of wrong. “But when I’m here, I miss health. But rst, let’s just remind 100,000 HIV su erers in the UK. One ere are many types of contracep- STIs. Use them. England. But when I’m in England, I ourselvesI what sex is: when two peo- in Five of those are undiagnosed. tives - the coil, the pill, implants etc. Now we’ve got that serious bit out miss Finland.” ple love each other very much they… Other sexually transmitted infec- - which can be used to prevent preg- of the way, here are some of the worst I told him I know how he feels. No? Okay, then. You surely know what tions (STIs), including chlamydia, nancy, but perhaps the most widely condom jokes I could nd: A day before that I had, in total, I’m talking about, and if you do, you’ll gonorrhoea and syphilis are on the available, and least invasive form of travelled eight hours for a job interview. is was a job I really wanted. I had to wait for half an hour out- After detection sheath your erection side an auditorium for my turn. I House your noodle then release your strudel suddenly got stung by something I haven’t felt in a long time: homesick- Encase that torch before you paint the porch ness. In a split second I’m thinking No glove, no love that I don’t want this job, I want to go home. e problem was that techni- Pouch your associate then go fornicate cally I was at home already. Everyone spoke my language, everything was ridiculously familiar, but I suddenly felt almost panicky. What am I doing here? I should be at home. It was so moving to hear this little boy describe our shared emotions better than I ever could. Still, unlike him, I chose this. I don’t feel quali ed enough to o er AND anyone any advice. ree years in the UK still hasn’t made me any less Finnish, so I don’t know any beautiful last words to say. Instead I tell him about a moment. Some time ago I met a group of ex- HOW TO HOW VOTE change students. ese girls were all excited, amazed and overwhelmed WHYby J.P. BEBBINGTON by their new surroundings and their s I’m sure you know by now, there’s an election in May. Speci cally on bravery to dive into the big world. ursday 7th from 7am until 10pm. Your polling card will con rm the ey would compare the present and location and opening times of your polling station. the past, laugh at unfamiliar habits, AIf you don’t know how to vote, you simply need to go to the polling station and and learn something new every sec- collect a voting form. You will enter a booth so your vote is completely private, ond. I wasn’t one of them anymore. and then you cross a box next to the name of your chosen candidate. at’s all Instead I recognised the girls’ enthu- there is to it. siasm from my own rst year. Sud- e reasons why are a little more complicated. A common argument wheeled denly I was so proud of them, and out every year is that people fought to achieve su rage, which is true, but their myself. Studying abroad is frustrat- sacri ces couldn’t possibly hold any meaning for your lives today. ing, exhilarating, bittersweet, and Here are a few that ought to pique your interest: wonderful. It doesn’t matter whether to listen and work for us. you stay or leave. You still dared to You do actually care about politics. ink you pay too much tax? Wish tuition To make your protest heard. If you don’t turn up to vote, your silence is as- jump once. And that’s pretty amaz- fees were smaller? Want to be able to use the NHS free of charge? It’s politics, and sumed to be compliance, but if you spoil the ballot it has to be counted. ese are ing. so is practically everything else you can think of. Do you want to leave others to some ways to spoil it: tick a box instead of crossing, write “none of the above”, make these decisions for you? write “politics is a load of rubbish”, or the entire Works of Shakespeare. If you Young people are being ignored, while the elderly are harkened to. Do you write on the paper, they can’t ignore it, and with enough spoiled ballots they know why? Roughly 44% of young people voted in 2010, while nearly 80% of have to hold another election, where the parties must change what they stand older people exercised their democratic rights. Politicians need to be elected, so for. they aim for the support of the larger electorates. If more of us vote, they’ll have 14 Seren | April Issue 2015 UNION NUS success for the Students’ Union

Main: e 2014/2015 Sabbatical Team Inset: NUS Wales Awards

ship. is campaign was further ex- the University. a national level. for innovative sector leading work. t the NUS Wales Awards in panded during the 2015 Sports Varsity Additionally, Danielle Barnard was “ e University works in partnership “Our focus in recent years has been March Bangor Students’ Un- event, where all competing teams wore runner-up in the SU sta member of with the Students’ Union to ensure that on opening up our services to stu- ion was short-listed in six of rainbow laces to illustrate that sport at the Year category for her innovative Bangor students have a fantastic ex- dents, academic representation led Athe eight categories up for grabs and Bangor is a welcoming environment and dedicated work on academic rep- perience during their time here. I am by students, and improving access to won four of the awards, retaining the for LGBTQ+ students. resentation. e partnership and cam- particularly pleased with these awards extracurricular activities to allow stu- ‘Students’ Union of the Year’ title in e SU also took home the Student paigning work with Postgraduate stu- as they follow a remarkable year for dents to shape and enhance their own the process, the only Students’ Union Opportunities award in recognition dents was also highly commended in Bangor, which has seen the University student experiences. Winning these to ever win the award for two consecu- of the success o f t h e the Campaigns category for the work ranked rst in Wales and 14th in the awards is a testament to the work of tive years. ‘Summer Ses- undertaken in partnership with the UK in the Times Higher Education the Students’ Union and the students Bangor Students’ Union won the sions’ project Student Experience involved in activity right across the or- Students’ Union of the Year award which pro- Survey and ranked ganisation. in recognition of the wide-ranging vides a route THE UNIVERSITY WORKS IN in the top 100 Uni- “We’ve ensured that students are at work during the year in areas such into main- PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SU versities in the world the heart of the design, development as academic representation, student stream activi- for its international and review of their education. We’ve activities and inclusivity. NUS Wales ties and involvement for TO ENSURE THAT BANGOR outlook.” removed barriers to participation by particularly commended their work postgraduate and inter- STUDENTS HAVE A FANTASTIC “Many congratula- introducing free clubs and societies on community engagement and or- national students who are tions to everyone with targeted events for international ganising, referencing the ‘Love Bangor usually forgotten about in EXPERIENCE DURING THEIR involved.” and postgraduate students. We’re cam- Community Partnership’ as an exam- activity o en perceived as Rhys Taylor, paigning to eradicate homophobia and ple of the Students’ Union’s commit- focused on undergraduate TIME HERE. Student’s Un- transphobia in sport and we’ve led on ment to ensuring that students are students. ion President, research into LGBTQ+ students’ expe- active members of their local commu- e SU also won the Education University’s Postgraduate Society over said: riences of higher education, and our nity, and not just ‘academic tourists’. award for their work on course reps the last two years. “We’re extreme- work on education forms the direction e Diversity award was given in scheme, the annual student statement, Professor John G Hughes, Vice- ly proud of our achievements as a of University policy and development recognition of the SU’s work, in part- which has been recognised nationally Chancellor, said: “ e success of the student body and as an organisation. each academic year.” nership with some of their student by the Quality Assurance Agency as Students’ Union in winning these We are very pleased to have won these groups, have done on LGBTQ+ issues an example of national best practice, awards re ect the hard work they do national awards. ese are in addition and e orts made to ensure that their and for students’ involvement in the on behalf of the University’s students to being recognised by HEFCW and activities and services appeal to, and design, development and review of throughout the year, and we are very the QAA for our work in academic re ect the diversity of their member- modules and programmes right across pleased to see this work recognised at representation over the last two years April Issue 2015 | Seren 15 UNION Student housing crisis Should there be a cap on student housing in Bangor?

wynedd County Council have non-student residents in those areas, porting that they had experienced at tenants in the private rented sector. has committed itself to tackling local recently outlined plans to cap and almost ghettoises students in their least one problem during the course Whilst we welcome any approach to issues such as housing and waste, and the number of student houses local communities. of their tenancy. e average rent for ensuring that student housing is better is developing partnerships with local G(Houses in Multiple Occupation) by Bangor Students’ Union recognises these respondents is £366 per month, regulated, this will not take into ac- groups and organisations to involve 10% across Bangor. the need to better monitor the devel- far above the average rent levels for count certain types of student accom- students and the wider community in Student housing is an issue in all opment of student housing – high lev- other tenants. modation and will negatively impact generating creative solutions to im- University cities across Wales and els of HMOs result in increased rents We do not believe that policy out- on areas with already high levels of prove the local community. the UK and contributes towards clear and poor quality accommodation for lining arbitrary targets or percentages student housing. Bangor Students’ Union is an organ- divides between student and non- students, and can also contribute to will adequately address these issues Additionally discussions around isation representing more than 10,000 student residents. In England local increased levels of crime. In NUS’ re- and their impact on wider local com- capping numbers fail to recognise students, the majority of whom live in councils have introduced policies that port Homes Fit for Study the ndings munities. Gwynedd County Council the economic and other bene ts that the local area and make up a signi - limit the development of student hous- show that more than a h (21%) of should echo students’ calls for better students bring to local communities, cant part of the overall local popula- ing to certain areas in University cities, respondents who lived in the private regulation of standards in the private actively contributing to the negative tion. We hope that, in the future, local which will undoubtedly negatively im- rented sector felt that their home was rented sector and rent caps to ensure messages about student residents and organisations and local government pact on relations between student and not in good condition, with 76% re- high quality a ordable housing for all the tensions that already exists be- engage with students and young peo- tween the two communities. ple, including College students, as in- Bangor Students’ Union is disap- dividuals and as a collective, as people pointed that Gwynedd County Coun- who contribute enormously to our lo- cil and Bangor City Council have not cal and regional economies and com- formally engaged students in process munities. of drawing up this policy. Whilst We call on Councillors in Gwynedd students are reaching out to the local and Anglesey to support our calls for community through new initiatives the Welsh Government to provide lo- and projects, such as the Love Ban- cal authorities with the means to en- gor Community Partnership and new force standards in the private rented Tenants’ Forum, Bangor Students’ Un- sector, to ensure that all tenants are af- ion was only informed of this policy forded a decent quality of living. through a recent article in the local We also call on General Election press. Students contribute hundreds candidates and political parties in of hours through volunteering in the Arfon and across Wales to pledge to local community through running in- support calls to ban letting agency fees dividual and unique community pro- and to introduce rent controls. jects, and contributing to local services. Additionally the Students’ Union 16 Seren | April Issue 2015 SCIENCE In Brief Happy birthday Hubble! EARLIER this month the Hubble Space Telescope celebrated its 25th birthday. Launched in 1990, the telescope has not had easy life. Di erences in focal perception famously produced the mirrors aw, which produced blurred images, however a er the famous aw was repaired, numerous improvements have produced a range of truly spectacular images and is said to fundamentally have changed the understanding of our Universe. Hub- Bees ying high ble has correctly aged the universe, tinoid, is similar in structure to nico- very dangerous to the health of many bees, with the chemical seen to prevent viewed the oldest known light in the by CHRIS GLASS tine and as a toxin released by plants, bee populations. the growth of bee colonies. Despite universe and delved into deep space is damaging to insects. Professor Geraldine Wright com- the ban of neonicotinoid containing with amazing results. To celebrate its A recent study by Newcastle Uni- mented on why this is the case stating, pesticides, a large amount of residual he decline of many species of birthday it photographed a spectacu- versity has further explained the ef- “Bees cannot taste neonicotinoids in chemical is still believed to exist in bees is particularly relevant in lar vista of young stars blazing across a fects of pesticides and chemicals on their food and therefore do not avoid the environment from previous pesti- current conservation circles. dense cloud of gas and dust. Hubble is bees, focusing greatly on the chemical these pesticides. is placed them at cide use. e ban on pesticides is still expected to be operational for at least T e factors surrounding the decline neonicotinoid. In the study neurosci- risk of poisoning when they eat con- currently in place, however is up for include: the loss of habitat, spread of another 5 years. entists tested the preference of a sugar taminated nectar.” e bees preference review, a lesser of two evils has to be diseases and nally the presence of solution containing neonicotinoid to the chemical is believed to be caused decided. Does the bene ts of increased pesticides in the environment. with that of one without the chemical, by the same response seen with hu- yield because of pesticides outweigh e great risk which pesticides were to both bumblebees and honeybees. mans and their addiction to nicotine. the negative e ect on the health of bee presumed to cause spurred a motion e study showed that the solution As more of the chemical is consumed, populations? to impose an EU wide two-year ban containing the chemical was actually the addiction is seen to increase. on three pesticides which contained greatly preferred as a food source. is e study also noted that honeybees neonicotinoid. e chemical, neonico- Supersonic startling revelation has proved to be were a ected less than other species of seat THE Bloodhound Super Sonic car is slowly nearing completion date. e car is UK engineered and hoping to become the world’s fastest car, when it will attempt to break the current land speed record. RAF Wing Com- mander, Andy Green, is the lucky person to drive the Bloodhound and later this year will travel to South Africa to break his previous record of 763mph, where he will aim for 1000mph. e vehicle marked another step closer to completion this month when the seat was tted.

Mammoth Genome Sequenced Daylight Saving THE genetic sequencing of the ous debates as to whether to continue cidents on dark nights. Adopting year dren with an increased risk of accident Woolly Mammoth has nally been by ADAM SHERRING observing DST or to change to year round BST would also mean that the involvement whilst walking to school completed by US researchers. By round British Summer Time (BST). UK would be working along the same in the dark. Some groups of people sequencing DNA records the com- he UK each year observes the ere are strong arguments on both time scales as Central Europe, thus such as: farmers, postal workers and pleted genome has been created. ‘Spring forward, fall back’ the- sides which di erent groups of people assisting with business agreements construction workers have historically Researchers have already begun the ory in which the clocks move can bene t from, or not bene t from, between the UK and the continent. preferred the lighter mornings. Al- process of inserting the genes into Tforward one hour in the spring and as the case may be. In a similar light, and from the view though at rst these people may disa- elephant stem cells. By doing this it back one hour in the autumn. is is If the UK were to move to permanent point of the British Association of Lei- gree with the change, once they get is hoped that the adaptions which known as ‘Daylight Saving Time’ or BST it would take a while to adjust. sure Parks, Piers and Attractions, the used to, and readjust which undoubt- Mammoths had can be fully un- ‘DST’ for short. e theory behind However, public opinion regards the pro ts from domestic tourism would edly will take a while, they should be derstood. Now that the genome is DST is that we make better use of the move be more practical from many increase. ere would also be an an- able to carry on with their daily lives complete, the possibility exists that a extended evening daylight availability perspectives. Many people in favour nual saving of around £485 million on as normal. Woolly Mammoth could be brought in the summer months. In reality the say that our health and well-being electricity bills as a result of one hour As you can see, there are pro’s and back from extinction. Dr Love Dalen, UK is in the minority by using DST. would bene t. According to a study extra winter evening sunlight, mean- con’s and each side has some very from the Swedish Museum of Natu- Only about 32% of all countries and conducted in 2014 on 23,000 children ing less energy needed to heat and good points. Whether or not at some ral History warns that despite the in- 20% of the world’s population abide across 9 countries, the children’s activ- light households. point in the future we will change and trigue of seeing a living Mammoth, it by the DST theory. e times of year ity levels were 15-20% higher during On the other hand, adopting perma- move away from DST is unknown. would be unfair and inhumane to the when DST is implemented is di erent the summer. Also according to an es- nent BST would mean that in north- But for now, whether you like it or not female elephant to bear the calf. depending on where you live. timate from the Automobile Associa- ern Scotland the sunrise would be DST is here to stay. e UK parliament has had previ- tion, around 100 lives per year would delayed until 10am during the winter. be saved as a result of reduced road ac- is would leave Scottish school chil- April Issue 2015 | Seren 17 SCIENCE In Brief Sheep-eating cow A COW has appeared to forget the de nition of herbivore and has been observed eating a sheep. A farmer in the South-Western Nakuru County in Kenya, awoke one morning to nd one of his cows feeding on a sheep. Despite attempts to increase water and fodder, the cow continued to pursue its unusual food group and was found eating another sheep the following day. e unusual change in diet has been accounted for by a de- ciency in nutrients, which has been brought on by the dry season. Exam- ples of this bizarre case have also been seen in India, where a cow was lmed Sexed up whales eating a chicken. by GEMMA SIMMONS to be a new addition to the pod and the studied pods of the Southern Resi- subsequently passed away last year be- fourth new calf for the pod this year by dents and in the world and a er the fore the calf was born. NOAA said “the -pod of the Southern Resident kill- e Center for Whale Research and is new additions of the past few months loss of J32 was a disturbing setback at er whale population o Washing- a big surprise for scientists and experts the population count of all Southern the time and are now extremely sur- ton State has had a great start to the alike. Heavy fetal folds were observed Residents now totals 81. However, prised by the new additions.” e exec- yearJ a er welcoming four newborns in the new calf indicating a very recent conservationists claim that this is still utive director of Paci c Whale Watch Ape link to into the pod a er over two years of no birth. dangerously low for an individual association (PWWA) said “although successful births, o ering new hope to e rst new calf arrived shortly a er population. the four new calves are great news, the back pain the struggling species. the New Year followed by the others. e population is protected under Southern Residents are still a long way At the end of March, the Paci c Four calves in three months is some- the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from being out of the woods.” BACK pain is likely to a ect every- Whale Watch Association (PWWA) thing of a baby boom for the endan- a er struggling to overcome habitat Conservationists and scientists are one at some stage in their lives. Pains reported the sighting of an unknown gered population that resides around loss, pollution and prey depletion. still working to help the population can be caused by bad posture, over calf among J-pod o the coast of Washington State and Puget Sound Research suggests that populations of and ongoing e orts into restoring food exertion and injury. A recent study Washington State. e famous J-pod, and is a huge step in the right direc- killer whales along the coast of North supplies by rebuilding salmon runs to has analysed people who su er from with a total of 27 members, belong the tion for conservation. Orca whales are American and Canadian coastlines are help feed the whales and keep the pop- lower back problems and found a link Southern Resident population, which an extremely di cult species to track depleting. Hope for the species was ulation growing continuing. to spine shape. Su erers are found to has a total of 81 members all in all. is and research into de nitive numbers lost when the pods greatest hope for have a spine shaped similar to a chim- sighting has recently been con rmed of individual populations is still ongo- o spring, known as whale J32, suf- panzee. Evolution from four legs to ing. J-pod is one of the most intensely fered pregnancy complications and two caused changes in the shape of vertebrae’s. Di erences between vertebrae’s and spinal shape are a result of the imperfections of evolution and the adaption of humans di erently. rough the study of vertebrae’s, it is believed that doctors will be able to predict the su erers of back pain more e ectively.

Amazonian tree species key

A NEW study has assessed the vital- ity of the Amazonian Rainforest and the trees which it contains. e rain- Plastic pollution threatens oceans forest is considered a vital component of the Earth’s carbon cycle, which stores more carbon than any other by ALEX MOIR 8 million tonnes of the stu enters the Real, Spain suggests the region to be seabirds, kill sh, and even contami- terrestrial ecosystem. e rainforest world’s oceans annually. Much of this prominent in accumulating oating nate oysters and muscles farmed for consists of an estimated 390 billion waste is churned by ocean currents, plastics. Indeed, an estimated 1000 food on the Mediterranean coast. trees which represent around 16,000 f you found time to visit a local known as gyres, into vast oating ra s tonne tide of bottles, wrappers and Naturally such degradation threat- beach over the Easter break, you tree species. Research found that only of debris, with one such accumulation other waste swamps the Mediterrane- ens the livlihoods and incomes of mil- about 182 of these species were the will have undoubtedly noticed the in the North Paci c the size of Turkey. an. Yet, there is more to this problem lions whose occupation hangs on the everI present plastic detritus dis gur- dominant force in storing carbon. It’s no wonder that plastic waste in our than meets the eye. productivity and beauty of this small ing our coastline. Despite periodical is new research means that plant- oceans is a major international prob- A er years at sea, erosion by waves sea. Until governments shore up dis- ing schemes can now focus on species removal by groups such as Endeavour lem. produces fragments less than 5mm posal plans to stem the ow of waste Society, it is ceaselessly replaced. which lock a higher level of carbon Take the Mediterranean as example; in diameter, known as micro plastics. into the sea, this problem will not be away in the atmosphere. A recent study by the American As- home to 4-18% of marine species as Micro plastics comprise 80% of Medi- resolved. You can do your bit by be- sociation for the Advancement of Sci- well as the tourism and shery indus- terranean polymer pollution. Sadly, ing responsible for your rubbish and ence (AAAS) into just how much plas- tries of Southern Europe. Research these are small enough to be mistaken taking your plastics home if you visit tic waste is out there, estimates around from University of Cadiz in Puerto by sea life as food. Fragments choke Anglesey’s beaches this summer. 18 Seren | April Issue 2015 ENVIRONMENT In Brief Malta bird protection rejected MALTA has rejected proposals to ban hunting migrating birds in the spring before they have the chance to breed. Malta is a small island south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea and is the only country in the EU to allow spring hunting. e pro-hunting side won the vote 50.44% to 49.56%. Hunting has long been a Maltese tradition and the spring season brings turtle doves and quail which migrate from Africa to the island to breed. Bird numbers Nepalese earthquake have dropped drastically due to the by RICHARD DALLISON o er protection and shelter to families equipped with 1.5 tonnes of tools in- the county’s best preserved old city, practice, since 1990 turtle doves have who have lost their homes or are in cluding a power generator and power claim that over half of all buildings reduced in numbers by 70%. Anti- he world is still reacting to danger due to the power a ershocks tools, as well as tents and food supplies have been destroyed. hunting parties have accused some the devastating 7.8 magnitude that have been plaguing the region and for the team so as to help reserve the Scientist in the area that were re- hunters of shooting protected species earthquake which hit Nepal on rescue e orts. e United Nations es- limited resources in the area. e UK searching the tectonics and seismicity TSaturday. ousands of people have as well as those not protected by law. timates over 6.6 million people live in has also sent aid supplies and a team of of the region have warned however Pro hunting campaigners were wor- perished or been injured and thou- the areas a ected by the quake. British Army Gurkha engineers, in an that this quake could not be last in ried that banning the sport may lead to sands more are feared to have died in International teams have ocked to attempt to help locate some 90 Britons coming years, Laurent Bollinger from other popular pass times such as re- the quake that hit central Nepal in- the area in an e ort to help with res- that are still missing a er the disaster. the CEA research agency, France said, works and motorsports being banned cluding the capital, Kathmandu and cue e orts and aid with medical treat- e quake has not only been costly “Early calculations suggest that Sat- in the future. Mount Everest. O cials fear for the ment of the injured; the labours and in terms of human life, but has also urday’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake is lives of thousands who live in the re- teams are being coordinated by the caused untold damage to many of probably not big enough to rupture mote mountainous areas of western United Nations. India and China were the countries historic sites, includ- all the way to the surface, so there is Orphaned Nepal. e earthquake has also caused quick to send teams to the a ected ing temples and monuments; four of still likely to be more strain stored, and several large landslides and avalanches regions and Britain has also sent as- seven UNESCO World Heritage sites we should probably expect another big in the area. A host of temporary shel- sistance. Search and Rescue Assistance in the Kathmandu Valley have been earthquake to the west and south of baby walaby ters have been erected in open spaces in Disasters (SARAID), a British or- badly damaged. Furthermore, initial this one in the coming decades.” dies across the e ected region in order to ganisation, has sent an expert cohort reports from Bhaktapur, renowned as A WILD baby wallaby has sadly died a er she was orphaned when she fell out of her mother’s pouch at only two weeks old. e baby wallaby was not born in Australia as one might expect, rather this wallaby was born much closer to Bangor, on the Isle of Man. e island has had a breeding population since the 1970s, when a breeding pair escaped from a wildlife park. To- day there are 120 on the island. Keep- ers had been trying to raise the young wallaby, who had been given the name Josie, feeding her milk and grapes every three hours. She had been doing well and gaining weight. However, possibly due to stress experienced when she was abandoned, she died last week. Pope urges Christian climate Farmers’ fear for future as EU action milk quota scrapped THE Pope himself will urge Chris- by FRANCES BARCROFT challenge and an opportunity for the covery, this could push farm gate milk sels in the days preceding the quota tians to take action on climate change EU, “It is a challenge because an en- prices down further in the EU and scrap, Yvan Deknudt, a Belgian dairy next month in a statement backed er over three decades of pro- tire generation of dairy farmers will stall any recovery in the dairy markets. farmer said, “We’re really scared that by the Vatican science academy, who tection from over-production have to live under completely new cir- It’s vital that expansion in any member production is going to explode and received a talk on the issue from UN EU milk quotas were scrapped cumstances and volatility will surely state is planned in accordance with we won’t be able to pay our costs any- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. e Aon the rst of April in order to allow accompany them along the road,” he available market opportunities.” more, the wholesale price of milk was Pope’s speech is expected to include EU dairy businesses to compete with said, “But it certainly is an opportunity In Northern Ireland, Michelle already 30% lower than the level he some of the dangers of heating the cli- international rivals in supplying the in terms of growth and jobs.” O’Neill, Agriculture Minister has needed to break even.” Others have mate and the potential consequences ever expanding markets of Asia and Meanwhile the National Farmers stated that while farmers may face welcome the news however, David for mankind, reminding Christians Africa. While the EU are con dent Union (NFU) have called for all coun- di cult times in coming years, she is Cotton, who has a herd of 230 cows in that they are obliged to be stewards that the new system will not bring a tries to “act responsibly and collective- optimistic that in the long term pros- Glastonbury believes that milk quotas of the earth and protect the poor. By return to the butter mountains and ly” a er analysis revealed that the Irish pects would be good, “[if] the local had “stopped Europe being such a big extension this means taking action on lakes of milk of the 1980s, farmers in Republic, Netherlands and Germany dairy industry continues to pursue a player globally in the dairy sector,” climate change. e church hopes that the UK are worried about the already are all expected to increase produc- market-led strategy with future deci- before stating that, “Less interference this speech by the Pope will make a low price of milk falling even further. tion sharply in the wake of restriction sions being taken in the context of in- is better, because the market can sort signi cant impact on the actions of its EU Commissioner for Agriculture removal. Rob Harrison, NFU dairy put costs and market returns”. itself out, predictions say that demand members. and Rural Development Phil Hogan board chairman said: “With milk pric- Responses from farmers have been will outstrip supply over the next few said the ending of quotas was both a es yet to show any strong signs of re- mixed, there were protested in Brus- y e ar s .” April Issue 2015 | Seren 19 ENVIRONMENT In Brief Olive tree disease spreads THE European Commission has warned that Italy must step up e orts to contain and suppress a bacteria disease which is plaguing olive trees in the south of the country. ousands of hectares have already been e ected by the disease in the second largest olive producing country in the EU and fears have been raised for the safety of Spain’s olive production, the largest in the EU. Despite a range of measures having been put in place in July 2014, the situation has continued to deteriorate. e disease is spread by various sap sucking insects and kills by CO stalls as US make climate desiccation. A European Food Safety 2 Authority spokesman has said, “Even trees not showing symptoms might pledge to UN carry the bacteria, which makes it re- by LAURA SUTTON coupling from economic growth.” 2025, in an o er to the EU before the acceleration of the 2005-2020 annual ally di cult. Just cutting down trees e stall is being attributed to chang- Paris conference aforementioned. e pace of reduction, to 2.3-2.8 percent with symptoms might not be enough.” he International Energy Agen- ing patterns of energy use in China pledge follows a similar statement of per year, or an approximate doubling.” Bu er zones 15km wide have been cre- cy reported last month that the and other member countries of the intent by the EU and other wealthy na- Despite the pledges made by various ated around plantations in an e ort to growth in global carbon emis- OECD (Organisation for Economic tions, before the deadline for o ers set nations, analysts are sceptical, say- contain the spread. Tsions had stalled for the rst time in Co-operation and Development), par- by the EU, not all countries have sub- ing that current o ers are not strong their 40 year records, in the absence ticularly the shi towards renewable mitted on time however, some such as enough to hold global temperature of major economic crisis. e gures energy generation; China is now the Canada missed the deadline. rise to the maximum 2°C stipulated. remained at 32 gigatonnes in 2014, the world’s largest investor in renewable e US announcement stated; “ e Dr Jeremy Woods of Climate-KIC’s Landslides same as 2013. While this is encourag- energy. Full report details have not target is fair and ambitious. e United Global Calculator project at Impe- ing the IEA has warned that despite yet been released, however it is hoped States has already undertaken substan- rial College London, said: “Over the kill in Brazil the news, this was “no time for com- that the results will aid in the signing tial policy action to reduce its emis- last decade, the EU’s emissions have placency”. of a new international climate change sions. Additional action to achieve the shrunk, the US’s have remained more- “ is is both a very welcome surprise agreement in Paris in December. e 2025 target represents a substantial or-less stable but China’s have risen as oods and a signi cant one,” said IEA Chief current aim is to limit the rise in global acceleration of the current pace of dramatically from just over 10% of Economist Fatih Birol, “It provides surface temperatures to less than 2°C greenhouse gas emission reductions. global emissions in 2000 to just under ravage much-needed momentum to negotia- compared with pre-industrial levels. Achieving the 2025 target will require 30% in 2013. e world has been go- MONDAY 27th of April saw 14 peo- tors preparing to forge a global climate e news came as the US pledged a further emission reduction of 9-11% ing in the opposite direction to that ple killed in landslides in the city of deal in Paris in December: for the rst to address climate change by cutting beyond our 2020 target compared to needed to reduce global greenhouse Salvador in Brazil. A prolonged pe- time, greenhouse gas emissions are de- its carbon emissions by 26-28% by the 2005 baseline and a substantial gas emissions.” riod of heavy rain, the heaviest seen in two decades with more than half the monthly average falling in 10 hours caused ash ooding in the city and triggered two landslides. e landslides destroyed homes in the city’s poorest neighbourhoods injuring 10 people and killing 14. Rescue services are still looking for a number of missing people. Flash ooding in the city caused the evacuation of a hospital a er ood was inundated the ground oor. Landslides are common in the area, in 2011 nearly 1000 people died in Rio de Janerio a er a whole hillside collapsed a er similar heavy rain. End of an era for the Antarctic ice melt accelerating lattice by HARVEY JOHN done in the past. Mr Paolo said: ““For tem is put out of balance, causing sea to understand the changes in the the decade before 2003, ice-shelf vol- level rise, this has been shown several grounded ice; how the oating ice is pylon? esearch published in Science ume for all Antarctica did not change times in recent years to be the current behaving; and nally how the oceano- A NEW sight is set to spring up Magazine this week has shown much, since then, volume loss has trend. graphic conditions under the oating around the UK over the next few years. that oating ice shelves in Ant- been signi cant. e western ice Further surveying by the European ice have changed. With those three A pylon is a common sight in the UK Rarctic are thinning at an accelerating shelves have been persistently thin- Space Agency (Esa) and their space- things, we have the basis for building and they have been of the same de- rate. Fernando Paolo, lead author of ning for two decades, and earlier gains cra Cryosat, has shown that the aver- really good models. Ten years ago, we sign for almost 90 years. is week a the research from the Scripps Institu- in the eastern ice shelves ceased in the age elevation of Antarctic ice shelves didn’t have any one of those elements. new design has been unveiled in Not- tion of Oceanongraphy in San Diego, most recent decade.” is decreasing by two centimetres per Today, we’ve made good progress on tinghamshire. e new pylon is 14m found that melting had accelerated e process of ice shelves melting year, considering the vast scale of the two, but on the oceanographic side shorter than the old 50m high ‘lattice’ from 25 cubic kilometres per year in is entirely natural, and when in bal- shelves (the Ross Shelf alone being the we’re only just beginning.” Research pylons and take only a single day to the decade to 2003, this jumped spec- ance the rate at which precipitation size of France) this is very concerning. on the aforementioned oceanographic erect rather than a week. e new de- tacularly to 310 cubic kilometres per of snow accumulates on land balances However, good reliable models of data has been started recently by BAS sign is being called the, ‘t-pylon’ and year in the 8 years a er. e research the losses through iceberg calving future prediction are as of yet, not when they sent a submarine under the despite being shorted, it can still carry has been conducted using 18 years at the ocean, this there contributes quite ready, Professor David Vaughan, oating extent of the Pine Island Gla- the same 400,000 volts. Rather than re- of satellite data, in a new approach no change to sea level rise. However Director of Science at the British cier, west Antarctica, in order to map place the current pylons, this new de- of combining data, rather than giv- if warming temperatures cause ice Antarctic Survey (BAS) commented: the sea oor. sign will be used in the building of new ing snapshots of change as has been shelves to thin more quickly, the sys- “We need three components: we need lines in England and Wales. 20 Seren | April Issue 2015 SOCIETIES

Society Awards 2015

in PJ Hall aiming to make the Society Awards gor students are capable of. tive, holding monthly work parties, and aca- by STEPHANIE YEABSLEY more in line with the prestiguous AU Dinner. The evening consisted of a three-course demic lecture series, Latin workshops, fungal Just over 40 individual awards rated silver or dinner followed by the awards presentation forays and a residential trip. The award is really THIS April saw the return of the Bangor Stu- gold were given out in total for society mem- by current VP Societies and Community Mark down to the members’ e orts, they’ve all been dents’ Union Society Awards, an evening to cel- bers who had achieved outstanding contribu- Stanley. brilliant” said Chris Glass, Chairperson of STAG. ebrate the achievements of all the SU societies tion within their society. STAG won the coveted Society of the Year over the past year. In total 20-30 societies were represented and award resulting in a fantastic year for the soci- The event was held in Reichel Hall, a change many of the attendee’s commented on the im- ety. “This award is a great way to end a great in last years high pro led event that took place portance of the event in celebrating what Ban- year at Treborth. The society has been very ac- GOLD AWARDS Chris Glass Matthew Wilson Daniel Smith Owen Jones Georgia Thomas-Parr Pippa Beston Ida Väisänen Richard Dallison James McLaren Robert Jones Jane Kelly Rory Farmer Jasper Murphy Sam Hunt Jonathan Sayer Scott Willey Llinos Gough Vikki Stanners Matt Day SILVER AWARDS

Anastasia Jeune Matthew Coy Bethan Howe Mich Leecy Chloe Heath Niall Marsay Chris Peck Osian Garmon Daniella Mee Penelope Dell-Smith Dion Hughes Rhian Jones Ellie Wilde Ryan Jones Emily Rimmer Sophie Lowe Helen Marchant Tamzin Haines Jack Turner-Barrett Tim Baker Joe Keep April Issue 2015 | Seren 21 SOCIETIES

Society of the Year - STAG

Community Award - Best New Society & Bangor Guides & Scouts Achievement of Year - Midwife Society

Best Collaborative Event - Unity & Feminism Society: Leelah Alcorn Vigil

Event of the Year VP Societies & Community CoppaFeel: Invidividual Award - ‘Boob Ball’ Pippa Beston

April Issue 2015 | Seren 23 INTERNATIONAL

THE WANDERING FINN

by ANNIINA PYYKÖNEN U.K, and getting to know new peo- prise, when I was trying to return my talk is not something that Finns like travel around that much anymore. ple have been my top priority. And it rst assignment in haste. Oh, and of to do. I don’t drink co ee like most of I wouldn’t change anything I have am Anniina Pyykönen, an ex- has been fun. course, we don’t have to pay for our the population of Finland, so I don’t done here, but maybe I should have change student from Finland, I don’t have any other foreign studies back in Finland and the state nd it shocking when I’m not o ered prepared more e ciently for the Iwhere I study education in a city languages that I’m good at other nances this too, so that’s nice. But co ee the moment I visit somebody. period. I didn’t nish all my assign- called Jyväskylä. Here, I couldn’t than English, so it was natural to we don’t have hardly any clubs or The food is a bit di erent and I miss ments in Finland before coming, choose modules from the depart- come here. Other University op- society activities, and that’s a shame. the sauna a lot. Very stereotypical, so that has been annoying me. But ment of education, so I study history tions would have been in Scotland, I’m a bit afraid that I can’t use all but true. being here in beautiful Bangor has and animation instead. It’s nice to but Bangor was a bit closer to eve- the credit I’m getting from here in I would de nitely recommend this been a joy, and visiting neighbour- study something else for a while, it rything so that’s why I came here. my own degree, but I’m trying to to everybody. Being an exchange ing cities have been fun. I have visit- gives me new motivation to study Applying through Erasmus was very squeeze those in somewhere. If I had student is like being on vacation ed castles, gone hiking and travelled my own thing. easy, even though I had some prob- selected my modules more carefully for half a year or so and having a through southern Britain. I’m going I have been in Bangor from the lems with sending e-mails. maybe then, but I decided to choose break from your normal life. It might to visit Spain and Ireland soon and 19th of January, so about three The school system here is very sim- what I sounded interesting. And the postpone some studies back at your take a look at London again. So a lot months. I have a bit less than two ilar to ours back at home. We prob- experience of living abroad is more home country, but I think this is the of traveling and sightseeing, but I months to go. Studying here is okay, ably have just a tiny bit more contact important than just studying. best time to do something like this also have had great time in Bangor but I haven’t put much e ort to it. hours at our university, and the con- I think there is not much di erence and see the world. When you nish with my new friends. I have really Exploring Bangor and the rest of the cept of a cover sheet was a nice sur- in our cultures, but for example small your degree, you don’t have time to liked it here.

TALENT ‘ROUND THE WORLD by IDA VÄISÄNEN ing, songs from the Lion King sung in and anime and this is where the idea shown just how much talent Bangor the charity supported in this year’s African languages to Beatles classics to sing in Japanese came from” Daisy University holds. Gala was Wamumbi Orphan Care. riday the 13th was not unlucky among many other numbers were told us. After the rst plunge, public One audience member especially During the interval the audience got at the fully packed PJ Hall last performed by student clubs and in- performing didn’t seem too daunt- impressed with all of this talent the chance to buy delicious cakes, Fmonth, where the 10th annual dividual students. Featured societies ing either. was the mayor of Bangor, Jean For- handcrafted jewellery and art to sup- One World Gala took place (even if of the gala included BU Dance, Oom- Daisy was one of the many talent- sythe, who also served as Lady Luck port this good cause. you weren’t able to get a seat!) Stu- pah-Fessional and Afro-Caribbean ed performers of the gala, who also in the ra e of many plush dragons, Bangor University currently holds dents, members of sta and com- Society among others. included the winner of the Welsh X Summer Ball tickets and a £50 Teras approximately 2000 international munity gathered together to enjoy One of the student performers was Factor, Suleiman Atta who had the voucher. Forsythe recognised the students of various nationalities. a presentation of the multicultural Daisy Man Yen Hung, who sang a audience in stitches with his funny talent Bangor University holds in From what we can tell of this even- talent Bangor University holds. song in her second language, Japa- lemonade song. One performance her speech, saying: “I have attended ing, these international students The lucky audience was taken on nese, whilst accompanying herself can’t be raised above any other, the three of these galas, and think this seen in the gala can put together an a journey of singing, dancing and with a piano. On top of this impres- talent presented in the gala was one is the best of them.” incredible show! music from around the world, in- siveness the gala was also Daisy’s overwhelming. From beautiful tradi- This celebration of the talent of the cluding China, India and Vietnam. rst public performance. tional Chinese songs to breath-tak- university’s multicultural student From Morris dancing to belly danc- “I am interested in Japanese culture ing Indian dances, the audience was body was for a good cause as well, 24 Seren | April Issue 2015 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

WITH UNITY CHAIR BRAD KENNEDY & JOE HEAFORD, SEXUALITY EQUALITY SENATOR.

UNITY EVENTS DO YOU THINK THERE IS STILL SOMETHING TO IS THERE SOMETHING IMPROVE IN BANGOR IN ALL BANGOR STUDENTS FRUIT SALAD TERMS OF SEXUAL HEALTH SHOULD KNOW, SEXUAL SERVICES, HEALTH-, AWARENESS OR An attitude-free alcohol included ETC.? OTHERWISE? night in Oscars Lounge, fortnightly on Wednesdays. Joe Heaford, Sexuality Equality Students must remember that they Senator: Three things need to be can register for their FREE con- improved! Waiting times at bod- doms and sexual health advice SENSITIVITY & AWARENESS nant that are currently 3.5 weeks with the C-Card scheme through- TRAINING should be reduced, students need out the year at the Students Union. a contact in the university where they can go for information, advice Unity wishes to continue training and screening, and nally students for sta and students, especially need to be informed of the facts sta with contact with students and surrounding STI risks, treatment students involved in clubs and soci- DID YOU KNOW? WHAT IS SHAG WEEK? WHAT WAS ON? and prevention! Did you know eties, as well as Peer Guides, Course 44% of males and females were in that last three years there was Reps and Wardens. We are hoping SHAG stands for Sexual Health Throughout all of SHAG week Unity tested positive for Chlamydia have been rising levels of HIV and to run the majority of this training Awareness (and) Guidance. held a Sexual Health Stall in Main across Wales. a syphilis outbreak in Bangor and when we return in September. It is a week dedicated to raising Arts reception where we had infor- Anglesey? (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance awareness for sexual health issues mation and handouts regarding sex- Report, December 2013) to Bangor Students. It is an annual ual health including those for non- LGBTEA series of events run by Bangor Stu- heteronormative relationships such HOW DO YOU THINK THESE dents Union in collaboration with as trans* sexual health. ISSUES COULD BE The majority of the positives for Unity Bangor and the University. We also gave out lots of Freebies for RESOLVED? Chlamydia were notably high in Angelsey and Wrexham. Our weekly event held in Bar Uno The objective is to give students those who came along, things such (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance is very popular. It is a safe space the information to make informed as condoms, dental dams, lubricants, Joe Heaford, Sexuality Equality Report, December 2013) non-alcohol event in which a group sexual related decisions and to kick coasters, wrist bands and stickers. Senator: These issues can be easily of us meet for Tea/Co ee food and start campaigns to further improve On the Monday and Tuesday of resolved. The University needs to cake and to have a relaxed place for Sexual Health Services in the area. SHAG week, Terrence Higgins Trust redirect funding to student services In 2013, positive tests for students to meet and chat. It originally started in Bangor in held 20 minute HIV testing in Rath- so that a student health nurse can gonorrhea went up by 219% 2010, back then it used to be a col- bone for students to drop in and be be contracted to provide students compared to 2010. laborative event between what was tested and receive their results with- with accessible sexual health ad- (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance Bangor Women’s Society, and Unity in 20 minutes. vice and screenings. Support needs Report, December 2013) PANCAKE Bangor. SHAG weeks are held all On the Wednesday, I volunteered in to be given to Bodnant so that the over the country and used to be Academi Nightclub handing out free waiting time can be reduced, the Young people age 15 - 24 are more We have a new event speci cally orchestrated by NUS but it isn’t any- condoms and lubricant to all that university needs to work with the likely to be a ected by STI’s due to for bi+ identifying people, as well as more. However, NUS Wales LGBT are entered. This was extremely popular Students’ Union to inform students unprotected sexual activity. those on the asexual and aroman- working on making a toolkit to help and so our treasurer and myself re- of the facts about a healthy sex (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance tic spectrum. It will run every two universities and unions in Wales to turned on Thursday night to do it all life while making sure services are Report, December 2013) weeks in the Creperie Cafe in Upper make real changes in sexual health. over again. On Thursday is was just as properly advertised and nally in Bangor for informal chat, to meet popular and students appear to be the run up to the Welsh Assembly elections next year we need to lob- new friends as well as discussing is- HOW WOULD YOU WANT very grateful for the service as “con- 70% of Bangor students did not by candidates about what they pro- sues. TO DEVELOP SHAG doms are sooo expensive.” know where the local GUM clinic pose to do about the issue! There is WEEK IN THE FUTURE? It is now in the early stages of dis- is in Bangor. cussion that this could continue on a nothing wrong with having lots or (S.H.A.G week survey 2014) In future years of SHAG week I fortnightly basis on AU nights! no sex,we just need to make sure MOTHLY FILM NIGHTS would like to get a lot more of the students can do so safely! Societies and AU Clubs involved. 80% of students get their sexual Getting more people involved Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital Followed by Pub Crawls, which nor- should raise awareness of the issues. health advice online, with less For full details of all the GUM Clinic Appointment line: mally end up in Academi for Cheese I would also like to run a lot more than 40% knowing what services events, you should check MON-FRI (9:30am-11:30am) Night on Mondays. More details for events, this year we had planned to the university o er other than out Unity Facebook page 01248 384054 these events get posted at the time. run a Sexual Health related Pub Quiz free male condoms. and Facebook group! Drop-in Sessions available: in Bar Uno, but unfortunately that Monday & Wednesday couldn’t happen this year. between 1:30pm-4:30pm. 24 Seren | April Issue 2015 April Issue 2015 | Seren 25 INTERVIEW FEATURE BAFTA lm viewing INTERVIEW comes to Bangor FEATURE

WITH UNITY CHAIR BRAD KENNEDY & JOE HEAFORD, SEXUALITY EQUALITY SENATOR.

UNITY EVENTS DO YOU THINK THERE IS STILL SOMETHING TO IS THERE SOMETHING IMPROVE IN BANGOR IN ALL BANGOR STUDENTS the funnier, less intense narratives. tors at the premiere. TV is reluctant the demand for sensational realism, age could have been, largely in part FRUIT SALAD TERMS OF SEXUAL HEALTH SHOULD KNOW, SEXUAL by PHILLIP SUTCLIFFE SERVICES, HEALTH-, AWARENESS OR MOTT There is, however, still no doubt at to take on the lm in its current, raw the audience is free to engage fully to the considerable talent in front An attitude-free alcohol included ETC.? OTHERWISE? the lm’s conclusion about the dan- and honest form. Director Christo- with the testimony being given by, of the camera. Perfectly portraying night in Oscars Lounge, fortnightly AFTA award-winning lmmak- gerous realities that students face in pher Morris spoke of the doubts he yes, an actress. It is possible. con dence naivety, strong-hearted er Christopher Morris dives into the sex industry. has about the kind of documenta- Morris and his team are academics fragility, or optimistic regret, it was on Wednesdays. Joe Heaford, Sexuality Equality Students must remember that they the lives of normal students in Violence, rape, and extortion are ries the public want: “[the networks] from the University of Swansea, and not hard to forget that the real sex Senator: Three things need to be can register for their FREE con- B British Higher Education who just so mentioned as frequently as con - wanted the real people onscreen their lm is the delicate staging of workers were not on screen. improved! Waiting times at bod- doms and sexual health advice happen to be sex workers. In candid dence and self-expression, bring- and a celebrity voiceover telling you rsthand accounts and statistics one Fog of Sex is a powerful piece of SENSITIVITY & AWARENESS nant that are currently 3.5 weeks with the C-Card scheme through- camera style, Fog of Sex explores ing with the credits the question: is what to think. I didn’t want that. I would hope for from such a pedigree. lmmaking, creating a window into TRAINING should be reduced, students need out the year at the Students Union. the lives of nine young women, in- this empowerment the true way of don’t even want money for the lm. Over seven thousand students the world of student sex work. It a contact in the university where cluding glamour models, online things? The director asked whether it This was National Lottery funded. I working in the sex industry were in- shows us what we don’t want to they can go for information, advice Unity wishes to continue training panty-sellers, “dressed to impress” is simply a “mantra” they o er them- was giving it away for free and they terviewed and the script was formed know: that sexual exploitation is and screening, and nally students for sta and students, especially cleaners, lap dancers, escorts, and selves as comfort, but he has also still didn’t want it in its current form.” from nine of the anonymous par- largely a product of our education need to be informed of the facts sta with contact with students and pornographic actresses. been careful to not come down on This sort of lmmaking educates, ticipants. The lm has the ethical system and economy. Where better surrounding STI risks, treatment students involved in clubs and soci- DID YOU KNOW? Instead of a patronizing exposé on either side of the matter. This impar- rather than demonizes. There is no backbone of an academic study and to spread this message than from the WHAT IS SHAG WEEK? WHAT WAS ON? and prevention! Did you know eties, as well as Peer Guides, Course 44% of males and females were why the sex industry is worse than tiality comes through in the factual, enemy and, without hyperrealism, keeps the content free from the bias universities themselves? in that last three years there was Reps and Wardens. We are hoping SHAG stands for Sexual Health Throughout all of SHAG week Unity tested positive for Chlamydia everything else in the world ever, the non-judgmental elegance of Fog of the message is not blurred by gossip. of evading judgment. This docu- have been rising levels of HIV and to run the majority of this training Awareness (and) Guidance. held a Sexual Health Stall in Main across Wales. lm is varied and fair, opening with Sex. Without the masks and suchlike used mentary is more believable than a syphilis outbreak in Bangor and when we return in September. It is a week dedicated to raising Arts reception where we had infor- Critics questioned the use of ac- by Channel 4 and BBC3 to get around any word-for-word interview foot- Anglesey? (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance awareness for sexual health issues mation and handouts regarding sex- Report, December 2013) to Bangor Students. It is an annual ual health including those for non- Christopher Morris has said: “The lm is a Lottery funded lm about students that engage with the sex industry whilst studying at University. I have spent the last LGBTEA series of events run by Bangor Stu- heteronormative relationships such HOW DO YOU THINK THESE dents Union in collaboration with as trans* sexual health. ISSUES COULD BE The majority of the positives for two years interviewing a wide variety of people who run parts of the industry (lap dancing clubs and massage parlours etc) and also students/graduates who work Unity Bangor and the University. We also gave out lots of Freebies for RESOLVED? Chlamydia were notably high in in a wide variety of roles within that industry. All the interviews were conducted on the basis that the actual footage would not be used in the nal lm – however Angelsey and Wrexham. Our weekly event held in Bar Uno The objective is to give students those who came along, things such (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance I would be able to use their words” is very popular. It is a safe space the information to make informed as condoms, dental dams, lubricants, Joe Heaford, Sexuality Equality Report, December 2013) non-alcohol event in which a group sexual related decisions and to kick coasters, wrist bands and stickers. Senator: These issues can be easily of us meet for Tea/Co ee food and start campaigns to further improve On the Monday and Tuesday of resolved. The University needs to cake and to have a relaxed place for Sexual Health Services in the area. SHAG week, Terrence Higgins Trust redirect funding to student services In 2013, positive tests for students to meet and chat. It originally started in Bangor in held 20 minute HIV testing in Rath- so that a student health nurse can gonorrhea went up by 219% 2010, back then it used to be a col- bone for students to drop in and be be contracted to provide students compared to 2010. laborative event between what was tested and receive their results with- with accessible sexual health ad- (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance Bangor Women’s Society, and Unity in 20 minutes. vice and screenings. Support needs Report, December 2013) PANCAKE Bangor. SHAG weeks are held all On the Wednesday, I volunteered in to be given to Bodnant so that the over the country and used to be Academi Nightclub handing out free waiting time can be reduced, the Young people age 15 - 24 are more We have a new event speci cally orchestrated by NUS but it isn’t any- condoms and lubricant to all that university needs to work with the likely to be a ected by STI’s due to for bi+ identifying people, as well as more. However, NUS Wales LGBT are entered. This was extremely popular Students’ Union to inform students unprotected sexual activity. those on the asexual and aroman- working on making a toolkit to help and so our treasurer and myself re- of the facts about a healthy sex (HIV and STI trends in Wales Surveillance tic spectrum. It will run every two universities and unions in Wales to turned on Thursday night to do it all life while making sure services are Report, December 2013) weeks in the Creperie Cafe in Upper make real changes in sexual health. over again. On Thursday is was just as properly advertised and nally in Bangor for informal chat, to meet popular and students appear to be the run up to the Welsh Assembly elections next year we need to lob- new friends as well as discussing is- HOW WOULD YOU WANT very grateful for the service as “con- 70% of Bangor students did not by candidates about what they pro- sues. TO DEVELOP SHAG doms are sooo expensive.” know where the local GUM clinic pose to do about the issue! There is WEEK IN THE FUTURE? It is now in the early stages of dis- is in Bangor. cussion that this could continue on a nothing wrong with having lots or (S.H.A.G week survey 2014) In future years of SHAG week I fortnightly basis on AU nights! no sex,we just need to make sure MOTHLY FILM NIGHTS would like to get a lot more of the students can do so safely! Societies and AU Clubs involved. 80% of students get their sexual Getting more people involved Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital Followed by Pub Crawls, which nor- should raise awareness of the issues. health advice online, with less For full details of all the GUM Clinic Appointment line: mally end up in Academi for Cheese I would also like to run a lot more than 40% knowing what services events, you should check MON-FRI (9:30am-11:30am) Night on Mondays. More details for events, this year we had planned to the university o er other than out Unity Facebook page 01248 384054 these events get posted at the time. run a Sexual Health related Pub Quiz free male condoms. Filmmaker: Christopher Morris and Facebook group! Drop-in Sessions available: in Bar Uno, but unfortunately that Monday & Wednesday couldn’t happen this year. between 1:30pm-4:30pm. April Issue 2015 | Seren 23 INTERNATIONAL

THE WANDERING FINN

Page 3 came back to The Sun on the 22nd January, terrible pun and all. Photo credit: psychologies.com

by HEDDWEN CREANEY began the NoMorePageThree cam- those babes mean, despite the ab- the genuine issues: not the horri c often is that decency does not come paign back in 2012, tweeted: “So it sence of the ‘o ensive’ nipple. truth that women (and men!) have from covering up. Decency can only he Page Three girls are beauti- seems the ght might be back on.” The idea that a bra will x the sex- nips, but that it’s socially acceptable exist when we open our eyes to ful models with their main ca- In Ireland, the Sun responded dif- ist world around models, simpli es to use people to make ourselves feel the real message underlying these Treers focused on looking pret- ferently to outcry against the soft the issue far too much. By adding a better. With no regard for that per- women’s shiny bods: I’m only here ty damn ne. Love them and call pornographic images and back in bra, we simply say that it’s not okay son’s well being, and with no time to look good. I am valued because I them empowered, or hate it and call August 2013 they give the nip, the for a woman to show her body, but to think about what we are really look good enough to be here. it distasteful, the one thing we can slip. Good bye nipples and hello de- it is ne for another to ogle her. In- doing, we stare at these pages and She is not saying ‘I am a woman’ all agree on is that the third page is cency? stead of stopping objecti cation, enjoy the aesthetics. because the same thing is done to controversial. Whether it is a woman Well, no. Not at all. A lack of nip- we body shame the woman – cover I don’t particularly demand page men. They are slapped on Hollister in all her glory, or the male gaze to ples does not make this image any up so I can respectably get my rocks three to be cut, but I think it is mis- bags, not because they are people, the nth degree, the matter is it’s not less of what it is: it is still a woman o . leading to pretend that the problem but because their image can be going anywhere despite protests. presented on a page for a job, and Argue it’s empowering all you with those images are the women’s scooped up by a brand, brandished However, we thought otherwise that job is to entice and arouse the want, but there is no denying that bare bodies. The real problem with around and then forgotten in a pile just a few months ago. In January, onlooker. She is still doing a VERY covering a woman’s nipples and those pages surrounds us all every of random attractive things that protesters rejoiced at the news that good job of it, but now we are being saying ‘now it’s okay for the papers’ day. It is common knowledge to- would sell a product. the paper had decided to remove told it is only okay if we cannot see is saying that showing all of the day, thankfully, that the media is If we hide the nipple, all we will do the page three girls, and opt for her nipples. breast is WORSE than reducing a constantly adjusting the female is reduce the real issue of society’s swimwear models. Just one week It does not change the meaning of human being into a form of sexual form, telling men and women a new bad habit of consuming other hu- later, on January 22nd, the photos ‘E right o ’ if I forget to ll in the grati cation. We create new rules long list of arti cial body goals they man beings and hide it behind one were back. Lucy-Anne Holmes, who naughty word. You know exactly to justify what we do, and by polic- should reach for. What I don’t see very empty victory. what I mean, and we all know what ing women’s bodies we are ignoring being brought into question very 28 Seren | April Issue 2015 TV CUCUMBER’S INTERVIEW VINCENT FRANKLIN

by RYAN JONES THIS WAS YOUR FIRST LEAD ROLE IN A TV ward, introverted, ‘well he’s obviously a genius’, well from an app that basically focuses on how DRAMA. WAS IT A DAUNTING EXPERIENCE? type geniuses. He’s a big, friendly, funny man you look. But I do think it’s great that technolo- HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE CUCUMBER but with a brain the size of a space hopper - gy mean people don’t have to be alone. Young FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO SEE IT? Yes. Terrifying. And Exhilarating. I’ve been do- and just as bouncy. As soon as my agent said people coming out in the past could feel isolat- ing this for a long time, but bald men with weak she’d been sent a script by Russell T Davies, ed and scared. Today, they’re only a click away Cucumber is a brutally honest, often hilari- chins don’t usually get to stand in the middle I was very excited. He’s been a show-runner from nding someone who’s going through ous, sometimes heartbreaking show about sex. of a TV drama. But after the rst few days the in the past, which means he oversees pretty what they’re going through. It explores our desire for, need for, hope for and phrases ‘turning over’ and ‘action’ slowly be- much everything moment by moment. He fear of - sex. At its heart is Henry, a man driven come less terrifying and you just concentrate wasn’t the showrunner on this but he still WOULD YOU AGREE THAT CUCUMBER by a desire for one more cock, but a man who on giving it everything you’ve got. watched the rushed every night and made sure COMMENTS ON SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS has never had cock. This dreadful mix of fear that everything was what he wanted - cos this IN GENERAL RATHER THAN SPECIFICALLY and desire destroys his world and forces him to AS A HETEROSEXUAL, WAS THERE ADDED was his show, his idea, it’s not a slot ller series! IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY? rebuild it from the bottom up (no more men- PRESSURE OF PORTRAYING AN ACCURATE The next morning he’d send you fantastically tion of 'bottoms', sorry). REPRESENTATION OF A HOMOSEXUAL enthusiastic little texts. If one day you didn’t Absolutely. Cucumber explores sex and rela- MAN? get one, it was really disappointing. tionships through gay characters. But desire, TELL ME ABOUT HENRY BEST. fear, love, betrayal, compromise... are universal. God, what’s an accurate representation of I UNDERSTAND THAT RUSSELL BELIEVES You don’t have to be a member of the Danish Henry is brilliant - don’t let anyone use logic a homosexual man? I just played Henry Best. THAT THERE SHOULD BE MORE MALE NU Royal family to relate to Hamlet. and reasonableness to convince you other- It was all there on the page. I’ve just nished DITY ON TV. HOW DO YOU FEEL? wise. Henry is a true hero - unhappy with his playing a nineteenth century fop called Chris- DID YOU, OR ANY OF THE OTHER ACTORS, world. Unlike most of us, he sets out to change topher Drawlight in a TV show about magic I don’t care how much nudity there is on TV as FIND THE SEX SCENES EMBARRASSING? it and learns loads about himself along the way called Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - act- long as it’s not me - nobody wants to see that! - like all journeys, he hopes that it will eventu- ing’s all about being people you’re not. That’s I think I may have been the only person on Cu- I can’t answer for other actors, but I didn’t nd ally bring him home. the fun. You just have to be honest and truth- cumber with a ‘no nudity’ clause - they insisted! the sex scenes embarrassing. You just have to Henry says the things most of us think but get on with it. I think it may be embarrassing daren’t say. And he’s no hypocrite - in that rst for the crew, having to watch men in their late episode he’s as rude to his friends’ faces as he is forties fumbling under a duvet. behind their back. He’s reached that point in middle aged (you YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE YOU’VE HAD SOME CRITICS IN THE EARLY terrible young people will be there one day, STAGES OF YOUR CAREER. HOW DOES IT but I’ll be dead by then so I won’t be able to DANISH ROYAL FAMILY TO RELATE TO HAMLET. FEEL TO PROVE THEM WRONG? say “I told you so”) when the stakes are really high - you haven’t got loads of time and lots Have I? Are you talking about the tutor at dra- of chances to get it right any more. He’s com- ma school who said I was balding, overweight, fortable, he has a nice house and a lovely life, ful. And I have to say, while I was nervous about with a weak chin and a abby lower lip - so I and most of us use these comforts to tame what the gay community would say, particu- TOFU ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO BE A LOT could play the one in war movies who doesn’t ourselves, to stop ourselves being reckless and larly gay friends and colleagues, no one seems MORE OPEN WHEN DISCUSSING SEX. TO come back, because the audience wouldn’t going for the big rise. But Henry’s better than to have batted much of an eyelid at a straight WHAT EXTENT DO YOU SHARE THIS care. He wasn’t a critic, he was just a bad tutor! us. He may damage a lot of people along the man in a gay role. There have been a few com- SENTIMENT? Other than that, the only critic that’s upset me way, but he sets out on a mission that most of ments, but not many. was the one who said I was “possibly the loud- us are too scared to go on except by watching I think you should de nitely discuss sex with est actor in England”. What did he mean “pos- someone like Henry on a TV show. TV SHOWS SUCH AS QUEER AS people you want to have sex with. That may sibly”? FOLK CONTRIBUTED A LOT TO THE sound obvious, but I think lots of people aren’t DID YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME IN THE ROLE GAY COMMUNITY. DO YOU BELIEVE honest with their partner - that’s certainly Hen- AND FINALLY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OF HENRY BEST? CUCUMBER, BANANA AND TOFU CAN ry’s problem. I’m not so keen on telling stran- GIVE TO ASPIRING ACTORS LOOKING TO HAVE THE SAME EFFECT? gers on the internet about my sex life. When BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY? Playing Henry best was the most amazing Benjamin interviewed Rufus Hound and me for 5 months of my life. Russell’s scripts were ex- I don’t know what these shows will contrib- Tofu, it was three in the morning and we were I don’t feel quali ed to advise anyone on how traordinary, the cast were amazing, we had fab- ute to the gay community. I do know that lots sitting outside a burger bar waiting to lm. We to “break into” the industry. I think I sneaked ulous directors, great support from Channel 4 of people were complaining about the lack of just tried to make each other giggle. in. I’ve been at it for twenty ve years and I still and Red Production. And we were in Manches- middle-aged gay characters on TV and we’ve think that whatever job I’ve just nished will ter, the coolest city in England after Bradford. certainly put that right. THEY’RE USED FREQUENTLY IN be the last work I ever get. I think you have to It was long days, long weeks, and some fairly CUCUMBER, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK OF try and work with people who are better than heart-wrenching scenes to shoot, but I’ve been WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH RUS HOOKUP APPS LIKE TINDER AND GRINDR? you and learn all the time. Try and do as much waiting twenty ve years for a part like this and SELL T DAVIES? di erent work as possible and develop a thick I loved every minute of it. I’m not sure about these apps. As the fat ugly skin. Russell is a genius. But not one of those awk- one, when I was a young I wouldn’t have done April Issue 2015 | Seren 29 TV

Is there too much nudity in Game of Thrones? YES NO by KATE BENN the purpose of: “Oh look, more naked Games of Thrones is by CALLUM MUIRHEAD weds consummating their marriage, ladies”. Margaery Tyrell, portrayed however, her nudity was hardly erot- Remember Ros, the red-haired by a sexed-up Natalie Dormer was back on our screens, Game of Thrones is one of the most ic nor was her nudity earlier in the prostitute from the earlier seasons, originally written as a sweet fteen and has unsurprs- notable television shows on air and same episode in which her brother who spent at least half her time year-old, and Daenerys’ soldier-se- ingly, opened up a I believe that the reason for this is watched her bathe for the ceremony. walking around in her birthday suit? ducing interpreter Missandei is nine new controversial that the characters are believable, In these scenes, I believe the nudity Remember the very rst time we in George R. R. Martin’s novels and frank and deeply human. Part of of Daenerys showed her innocence see Daenerys Targaryen, and we’re has no trace of a romantic storyline. debate following empathising with the characters and vulnerability, she wasn’t the treated to a nice, shamelessly long But it’s not only the agrant over- Emilia Clarke’s re- from GoT comes from acknowledg- gure of eroticism, but was in fact shot of her bare behind before her sexualisation of women that gets fusal to do any more ing their vulnerability, and nudity a displayed as a character to pity. slimeball brother promptly starts me. A good portion of the sex-scenes in this series has been used as a And at the end of the series Daen- feeling her up? Right from the o , in GoT are sometimes unnecessar- nude scenes. tool to express the convictions of erys emerges with three dragons; I’d Game of Thrones doesn’t make any ily, non-consensual. We get that its characters more than solely for argue that this scene wasn’t meant secret of commodifying the female Westeros is supposed to mirror a Does Game of sexual purposes. For example, nu- to titillate, but to display the con - body. How many times can you re- medieval culture, but having Jaime dity is used as a tool to show the dence and power that the character member seeing a bloke get his kit Lannister force himself on his sister Thrones have too evolution of Daenerys Targaryen. had built. While GoT does use nudity o on screen? Male nudity in Game in the previous season is one line much nudity or is At the beginning of the rst season for the purposes of sex and sexuality, of Thrones is there, but it’s a lot rarer. I think the showrunners shouldn’t it justi ed? Callum Daenerys was essentially sold to Khal it has also been used to make charac- We get it showrunners, you like tits! have crossed. This was yet another and Kate discuss the Drogo as his bride in exchange for his ters more believable and to remove The programme ages up quite a few example in a long list of scenes support to her brother Viserys. Her nudity from the series would also of its female characters, explicitly for where the show has subjected its topic in more detail. wedding is followed by the newly- remove a valuable device the writers female characters to sexual abuse. use to make this series so enjoyable.

Marvel’s TV Takeover by RYAN JONES 2013, as a television series that fo- less success than Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. debut season with a 9.2, while Rot- Daredevil has already been com- cussed on the ctional peacekeeping In fact, Agent Carter is still yet to de- ten Tomatoes gave it 98%. Fans also missioned for a second season, and ith the recent release of and spy agency within a world full of but in the UK, which may be an indi- praised the show for using a new is only the rst part of Marvel’s plan. Avengers: Age of Ultron, superheroes and aliens. The show cation of how minimal its impact has tone within the Marvel Universe. Marvel have agreed a deal with Net- WMarvel is proudly showcas- was groundbreaking with its inter- been. So after their rst endeavors Daredevil is no typical Marvel ick. ix to show upcoming shows A.K.A. ing its strength in cinema. In fact, the woven plot with Marvel lms part into TV, you’d be forgiven if you were The cheesy jokes have been replaced Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Marvel cinematic Universe is closing of the same universe. However, the to think Marvel would have given up with a sombre atmosphere and the These shows will focus on each hero down on Harry Potter as the high- show was met with mixed reactions, on trying to nd success in the indus- superpowers swapped for bone before uniting them all with Dare- est grossing lm franchise. But if you which led to a deterioration of rat- try. But then Daredevil came along. breaking action. Daredevil seems devil to star in the future TV release of were to think that Marvel were con- ings. While Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can’t Many thought Daredevil was des- closer to the Dark Knight than any of The Defenders, and so will assumedly tent with their cinema dominance, be deemed as a failure, Marvel would tined to op. Fans had become pessi- its Marvel counterparts, and yet it still act as the TV version of The Aveng- you’d be mistaken. surely have wished for more success. mistic about Marvel TV and the Dare- takes place in the same universe as ers. You certainly cannot question Marvel wanted to expand their on- Their second attempt in the tel- devil lm from 2003, starring Ben Iron Man and Thor. Whilst lms such Marvel’s ambition, but if Daredevil is screen universe even further, as they evision industry resulted in Agent A eck, was met with much criticism. The Avengers, Winter Soldier and Iron anything to go by, we should be ex- delved into the television industry. Carter. Despite some positive critical However, against all the odds the Man are all entertaining, it's extreme- tremely excited for Marvel’s plans to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was released in response, Agent Carter also failed to Daredevil TV series was a resound- ly refreshing to see a new perception take over TV. leave a great impression, with even ing success. IMDb scored Daredevil’s of the universe. 30 Seren | April Issue 2015 FILM MOST MEMORABLE SEX SCENES IN FILM

Ghost (1990) Brokeback Mountain 21 Grams (2003) Antichrist (2009) Cruel Intentions (1999) Pottery Scene (2004) “I have a good heart” Prologue Annette & Sebastian Tent scene GHOST holds one of the most THIS is a very beautiful lm – and WHATEVER your opinions of Lars IN Cruel Intentions we see the classic iconic sex scenes of all time. For ANOTHER case of sex scene com- the sex scene really just adds to that. von Trier’s experimental horror lm love story of an archetypal bad boy many people it is hard to hear the plimenting the beauty of the lm Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is dying of Antichrist, it is hard to deny that the (Ryan Phillipe) who tries to seduce a Righteous Brothers’ Unchained and the love story of cowboys por- heart failure and his life is saved by an cinematography is anything but virtuous young woman (Reece With- Melody without recalling that par- trayed by Heath Ledger and Jake emergency transplant. He wants to spectacular. The prologue section of erspoon) but is changed for good ticularly romantic pottery-related Gyllenhaal. The scene re ects more nd out whose heart he received, and the lm, in which this sex scene oc- when he ultimately falls in love with scene. Later on in the lm, after than it actually shows, denied feel- nds Christina Peck (Naomi Watts), curs, is particularly impressive and her. While the movie is by no means the Molly’s boyfriend is murdered ings of lust, learnt disgust and fear who lost her entire family. When we see the protagonists passion- dramatically original or ground- (Patrick Swayze) and becomes the of yourself. In a single scene without Christina realises that this stranger ately make love while their child is breaking, it is enjoyable, romantic titular ‘ghost’, the scene is tragi- dialogue these feelings are faced received her husband’s’ heart, so involved in a tragic accident. This and tragic. The scene I’m referring to cally revisited when Molly (Demi and conquered when facing some- many emotions are displayed; sor- scene is a lot darker than many of is of course, the one where Sebastian Moore) attempts to create pottery thing greater, a shared lust. All these row, longing and awe when realising the others presented here but it is (Phillipe) rushes to the train station once again. Both members of the layers of feelings are wonderfully that the heart of your deceased love very rich in terms of imagery and to stop Annette (Witherspoon) from couple recall the prior romantic portrayed by the actors, without the is still beating in someone else. This symbolism. leaving by professing his love for her. scene but are unable to communi- usual Hollywood tricks of carefully all re ects the sex scene that follows. If you’re in to ‘artsy’ lms or just The sex scene that ensues is a very cate with one another. placed lighting and carefully calcu- As a scene it’s nothing unusual, but something a bit di erent or darker, Hollywoodesque presentation of An- Through the comparison of these lated aesthetic angles. The scene a great example of how a sex scene then check out Trier’s cinemato- nette losing her virginity to Counting scenes Ghost demonstrates the itself is ascetic but it’s all these lay- compliment the story, rather than to graphically impressive but very dark Crows’ song Colorblind, but it is nev- notion of love so strong that it con- ers of emotions that make this one a exist ‘just because.’ and slightly confused lm. ertheless very sweet and touching. tinues even after death. beautifully crafted sex scene. SEXUAL AWAKENING VIA FILM

by ANONYMOUS

MY sexual awakening was the one and only Daniel Craig, speci cally his appearance on Tomb Raider. For me, the scene where he emerges from the shower all toned and wet is one of the most titillating scenes in lm. First of all his entire look in this scene is just so completely on point, however it isn’t just the raw attraction settle into a comfortable dynamic, it their hours on design. The lm be- Bee Movie in 2007. Previous fea- of the actor that does it for me. The by PHILIP SUTCLIFFEMOTT is for the most part a blunt, paint-by- gins like some kaleidoscopic bub- tures have held universal appeal by con dence of the character is also numbers ying car adventure that blegum trip and progresses with employing the sort of humor that just amazingly sexy, when I get out ome follows the usual buddy pulls at tried and tested nerves. escalating surrealism. The aesthetic works at every level of maturity, but of the shower I want to smash all the story structure of an odd pair- Jim Parsons improves things. He’s chaos is amped up in time to the this one is a 97-minute sequence of mirrors in my house but he just get Hing working towards a com- whimsical and warm to the point of beat of rising tensions and each cre- bright colors and funny noises. The out of the shower, and walks around mon goal and becoming bound to delightful, but the actor responsible scendo showcases the extreme of a fault in this is that children are those naked like it’s nothing. There’s some- each other on the way. The buddies for Dr. Sheldon Cooper runs the risk di erent visual set-piece. Whether for whom thoughtful narratives are thing very attractive about someone in this instance are Tip, an un-homed of typecasting with a role heavy on combining n-de-siècle metropolis important, and there is a patronizing who has that amount of presence girl seeking her mother and Oh, a emotional confusion and logical and clinical spacecraft, white-picket element in providing them with pa- and audacity. radical alien on the run from the vio- over-explanation. Rihanna is believa- wisteria and favela-ghetto, or calm per-thin characterization. Adults are The only down side of this is when lent conformism of his people. The ble and compassionate performance desert and angry war-metal, Home is the ones who will notice the relation- I told my Mum this fact and she told turn is that Oh’s people are being as Tip: a stark improvement from a vision of con icts that grab you by ship between pacing and color and literally everyone we have ever seen pursued by the colonizers of their her Razzie-winning performance the retinas and keeps hold. Oh pro- the aesthetic con icts in the lm’s or met that I have a massive thing own. It refreshes the postcolonial in Battleships. The remaining cast jects di erent colors depending on landscape. for Daniel Craig. For the record, I nd tropes of homeland sci- , but due were eclipsed by the featuring pair, what he’s eating, whether he’s telling Home was not meant to be en- Daniel Craig attractive, I do not have to unnecessary ironies and twists, it including forgettable silliness from the truth, or what emotions he’s ex- joyed for its script, but, like Avatar a thing for him, but that scene and buckles under the weight of loose Steve Martin and a super uous turn periencing. The device is unoriginal, before it, its visual splendor makes that character were a shining light in direction. It’s a stark departure from by Jennifer Lopez, whose character but it gets by in a visual gag- lled, for an enthralling cinematic experi- my otherwise tragic puberty and as the emotional delicacy of How To detracts from the lm’s mystery. color-resplendent lm about learn- ence. Home is an entertaining movie such he will always have a place in Train Your Dragon or the heart hold- Come the nal credits, and you re- ing to read people. for children, but only in the most pa- my heart and I suppose my sex drive ing humor of Shrek. Home is dull for alize why the narrative was lacking: A DreamWorks animation has not tronizing way. as well. the rst act and, although the laughs and cries begin to land once the duo the folks at DreamWorks had spent been so directed at children since Seren | April Issue 2015 31 FILM

THE TRIPLETS OF BELVILLE 2003

by PANOS KOKKOS Baker, Fred Astaire and his man-eat- ultimately discover how it all ts to- sionally merge into each other, and her bizarre but indisputable logic at ing tap shoes—cross the stage to gether, and makes no concessions to a maître’d’ is obsequious to the point every turn. Sure, she’s eccentric: she n indefatigable old woman the tune of the title Triplets’ unfor- be certain of it. that his body is in a permanent curl, may provide a sports massage with tries to rescue her cyclist gettable hit, “Belleville Rendezvous.” The lm’s visual style isn’t just ec- so desperate to kowtow to favoured a lawnmower or x a at tire with a Agrandson from the clutches of (Insanely catchy, the tune is the high- centric; it’s everything. With virtu- clients that he’s unable to stand up gum-chewing dog, but there’s no ar- the ma a, with the help of her train- light of Charest’s clever score.) It’s a ally no dialogue, the burden rests straight. Chomet uses a helpful visual guing with her results. hating dog and a long-forgotten, vital scene, introducing characters heavily on the many caricatures that shorthand, but it’s one that rigidly Chomet is a wickedly inventive frog-eating trio of Depression-era we won’t see again until more than populate the lm. Some are cultural: de nes the world of the lm. storyteller, equally at home with superstar singing sisters. halfway through the movie. But in all French mobsters are denoted by This puts an enormous amount of the ridiculous (a chase scene involv- That plot description up there? Pro- almost every other respect, it’s com- an omnipresent beret and a plum- pressure to carry the plot on the tiny ing Citroën 2CV limousines) and the vides absolutely no insight into the pletely out of sync with everything coloured nose, while every American back of our hero, Madame Souza, and heart-breaking (the lm’s bittersweet twists and turns awaiting this lm’s that will follow: the parodistic anima- is an obese grinning monster (even she is a wonder. So small that she can ash-forward coda). Rumours of a audience. This movie careens from tion and broad comedy have little to the Triplets’ Oscar statuettes are fat). easily ride upon her dog’s back, with prequel have recently have recently one style and subject to the next. do with the succeeding introduction Others are one-line character de- glasses that never stay up and a club made the rounds, and while going Consider the opening scene, a Fleis- to an old woman and her melancholy scriptions: a mechanic for a crime foot that is a quiet character feature back to the well feels like regression, cher Brothers pastiche in which a grandson, nor does that match up to syndicate looks so much like a mouse until it arises like a mighty Chekhov’s Chomet’s well seems to have more theatre full of morbidly giant women the following scenes of that same lit- that he must carry a metal guard for Gun at the lm’s climax, Souza is ut- interesting ideas in it than most. and their meek, miniscule husbands tle boy grown up and embarking on his enormous rodent ears when he terly absurd. And yet, the movie is watch a parade of famed carica- a quixotic e ort to win the Tour de visits the barber, a pair of gangsters dependent upon the audience’s be- tures—Django Reinhardt, Josephine France. Chomet has absolutely no are identical giant black rectangles lief in her boundless determination concern that the audience will not so indistinguishable that they occa- and persistence, and the lm hews to

DONNIE DARKO 2001

by PANOS KOKKOS Even putting the mind-bending sleeve, but he creates an entirely new climax, rising from minor to major works. The plot of Donnie Darko is plot aside for a moment, Donnie and unique universe out of these ele- characters until stopping just before exactly the kind of grandiose, apoca- roubled teen Donnie sees vi- Darko would be weird just because of ments: the universe of Donnie Darko, an emotionally devastating shared lyptic fantasy that a brilliant but trou- sions of a six foot tall demonic the incredible shifts in style. At times, easily one of the most original lms moment between the two most im- bled, possibly schizophrenic teenag- Tbunny rabbit named Frank, who writer/director Richard Kelly seems of the young millennium. portant people in Donnie’s life. er would have. In a movie where the demands that he commit acts of van- to be channelling: John Hughes. The The production seems to have been Most importantly, Kelly is too smart central character is a bright adoles- dalism in a sleepy suburban town Last Temptation of Christ. The Catch- as blessed as the initial marketing of a guy to believe in his own gob- cent who refuses to accept society’s in 1988. Donnie narrowly escapes er in the Rye. One of Quentin Taran- of the lm was cursed. Kelly seems bledygook. In his DVD commentary, standard lines, Donnie’s pseudo- a freak accident when a jet engine tino’s absurdist pop-culture rants. nothing at all like a rst-time feature he describes the plot as “absurd” sensible solution to nding meaning crashes into his bedroom after Frank An episode of Rod Serling’s Twilight director. His visual choices are mature and one that deliberately relies on in his life makes perfect sense. The has awoken him and called him away. Zone. David Lynch. At times, the and con dent. The lm is bookended “comic book logic,” at the same time genius of Kelly’s lm is that it recap- Frank tells Donnie that the world will movie seems to be: a black comedy. by two magni cent 80s era musical he tries his damnedest to defend it. tures the integrity, the naiveté, and end in 28 days, on Halloween night, A high concept science ction pic- montages. The rst, set to “Head Over In the end, he concedes that the au- the longing to recreate the world in a and Donnie attempts to gure out ture. A character study. A parody of Heels”, is a technically magni cent dience will have to decide whether better way that’s the hallmark of ado- what he can do to save the world 80s teen comedies. An avant-garde one-take tracking shot that snakes the events of Donnie Darko “really lescence at its best. And the movie while simultaneously dealing with a surrealist lm. throughout Donnie’s school, intro- happened” or whether they were accomplishes this feat while creat- new girlfriend, bullies, a motivational But the various ingredients never ducing several minor characters. The “just Donnie’s dream.” Usually, the “it ing a sense of mystery and dreamlike speaker he sees as a cult leader, and seem jarring. They blend into a co- second, set to “Mad World”, is a heart- was just a dream” ending is a cop-out wonder that lingers long after the ever-escalating hallucinations. herent whole, like the ingredients in a wrenching epilogue, following each by a writer who can’t gure out how credits roll. stew. Kelly wears his in uences on his character in the aftermath of the to end his story, but here it actually 32 Seren | April Issue 2015 GAMES AND GADGETS WHAT’S COMING UP

THIS turn based strategy game comes to us from the creators of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars two of the greatest games for the Gameboy over its iterations in my opinion. Incorporat- ing a third person view though will make you feel more involved than by JESSE YOUNG On a more technical note, if you’re but more speci cally the game is lenges… provided you remember to the other games as you face o with a PC gamer you should check the structured in a “Metroidvania” style. use it. the characters Prepare to fend o ri and the Blind Forest is a required speci cations. My ve-year In other words, you’re free to explore Only on rare occasions does the Aliens with a four man team led by game that repeatedly de es old desktop made it through, but not the game’s large map, and uncover game checkpoint you, and if you Abraham Lincoln in a steampunk era. Oinitial expectations in the best without a great deal of slowdown hidden power-ups, as far as your cur- forget to save you will regret it. On Amiibo integration also allows you to possible way. and a couple of crashes. It’s a more rent abilities will allow. top of this, creating a save point uses use Fire Emblem’s Ike, Lucina, Marth You might have seen some of the technically demanding game than As you pick these abilities up over up the same energy that the player and Robin. The cartoony graphics game’s art and screenshots and not- you’d assume for an indie title. Ori’s roughly eight-hour length, the needs to execute certain attacks. look to set this game apart from its ed that Ori is a good-looking game. Regardless of personal PC issues, platforming takes on a new life. In Balancing the use of this power cer- predecessors as well as other games Indeed, the game looks stunning, the fact that I persevered speaks to fact, surprising as it may seem, Ori tainly makes for an interesting met- available on the 2 and 3DS. more so than it has any business be- the game’s credit - it’s seriously al- ends up introducing almost Super agame – but it doesn’t always work Released on 15 May on 2DS and ing. most impossible to overstate how Meat Boy-esque sequences of fast to the player’s enjoyment. 3DS Even so, looking at screenshots of good the game looks and sounds. and precise platforming, in nite wall There is some combat in the game, Ori is nothing compared to seeing Almost every asset is unique, much jumps and all. That’s certainly not a although even calling it combat is it in motion, and the game’s ten- of it being hand-painted. Still, the light comparison to make, but this a stretch. The focus was clearly not minute prologue sells it more than prologue leaves the impression that game can be very, very di cult at placed on this aspect, and it serves as anything a review can say. The crea- Ori and the Blind Forest is a game that times. more of a window-dressing to Ori’s tors at Moon Studios took inspira- places presentation above game- The unique save system can work platforming. It’s not bad, but it’s not tion from Disney and Studio Ghibli, play. That’s not by any means a bad as a massive help in some of the perfectly executed either. and it shows. The prologue is not thing – Telltale Games, for example, game’s trickier areas, but it can also Really though, whatever com- just pretty, but cinematic and even have made good business and good be a source of frustration if you for- plaints can be brought against Ori tear-provoking, and it sets the scene games by doing exactly that. Bad or get to utilize it. At the start of the and the Blind Forest are minute. From for a lovely story throughout. This is not, though, that’s not what Ori is. game, you’re given the ability to cre- top to bottom, it’s an incredible all upheld by a beautiful orchestral You might imagine that Ori plays ate your own save points, provided game and a strong early contestant NEXT month sees what is being soundtrack, the quality of which somewhat like Limbo; a slow and you’re standing in a relatively safe for game of the year. In my books, it’s tipped for Game of the Year release. merits listening to entirely separate methodical platformer with some area. This helps to break up the hard also the best looking 2D game ever The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt sees the from the game. puzzle elements. Platformer is right, parts into bite-size platforming chal- made. No hyperbole. latest instalment of The Witcher franchise release and it’s looking good. Graphically, this game looks beautiful and if gameplay from the last FREE GAMES THAT WILL RUIN YOUR games is anything to go by, it will be even better. However, if you haven’t played a Witcher game to date, don’t DEGREE worry, the developers have said it’s easy to jump in here and not go As my time at Bangor draws to a close, I’d like to share with you some of the free internet games I have used to whittle away back to play the last two whilst also the hours as I avoided that essay or didn’t have to money to pick up that game I really wanted despite it being 75% o in the remaining compelling for returning players. The game is a third person Steam sale. With this, I must advise caution that these games should be enjoyed around getting your assignments done, espe- RPG with vast areas to explore, so be cially with their accessibility. Still, happy gaming and hopefully they serve you as faithfully as they have me. prepared to lose hours on this game. Released on 19 May for PC, PS4 and Xbox One

SPLATOON is a third person shooter being released for the Wii U. Why should you play this I hear you ask, well, using paint as the ammo covering the map in vivid colours is a good place to start.Plus Splatoon just looks like a lot of fun! The ability to travel THIS classic game has numerous remakes lit- MUCH like Tetris, Space Invaders is a gold- THIS one doesn’t have an o cial title but it through any of your teams colour has still had its fair share of hours put into it. A paint allows for access to anywhere tered across the internet, it still doesn’t stop en oldie that hasn’t lost any of its character it be addictive as hell. It will have you cursing over the years. You still get that little mo- simple side scrolling jump over obstacles game on the map and the ‘super jump’ abil- has been a point of pride as you try to beat your ity allows you to jump from one end the long one as you get the L or even a square ment of panic as you miss the invader and and all that planning to get four lines falls he drops to one row above causing a game friend’s high score and that moment when you of the map to the other using the fail mere moments before you do, the rage that same principle. This makes the game apart as you hold out staring at the next shape over and as you slowly see the defences hoping to see it. Tetris is a game everyone crumble you consign yourself to a valiant raises up and you say to yourself ‘one more try’ fast paced and looks like it will be a that is what this game has going for it. It is only blast with friends, especially if the knows and loves, with the theme tune cycling defence as your ngers epic an epic work- in your head as soon as you read the word, out. I’d strongly recommend revisiting this available on Google Chrome, but, on the bright online multiplayer is up to scratch. side, it is available o ine as it only appears Released on 29 May on Wii U Tetris. I’d recommend this one wholehearted- one and seeing if you get as hooked as I have. ly, especially if you have competitive friends. when you are unable to connect to the internet. April Issue 2015 | Seren 33 GAMES AND GADGETS VIRTUAL PORNOGRAPHY VS. CLASSIC by JOSEPH ANTHONY his sexy issue of Seren wouldn’t these are primarily designed as addi- VR allows you to look around the en- would anyone go to the levels of cre- moment you take o the headset to be complete without mention tions to expand the realm of gaming vironment at hand, so, as long as it is ating some, even as a prototype. see them, not what you want. Tof pornography somewhere the implication of other elements of kept to one location and the area is Also, I’m not sold on the idea of, So, I cautiously look forward in within, so, here is its honourable VR are on the horizon, this includes lmed, it could provide enough for if you’re in the mood and decide to this case, not suggesting it won’t be mention, however, with recent tech- pornography. a VR experience, especially seeing as watch some that you have to go to a reality at some stage because un- nological developments, could we Now, I’m not suggesting some sort the focus wouldn’t be on the envi- the troubles of nding your headset doubtedly someone will be able to start to see a more interactive por- of pleasure dome like we see in Mis- ronment around you. making sure that it has enough bat- make use of the technology for this nography arise? sion Impossible with the holographs, This does beg the question of, due tery and then wearing the thing just purpose, however, I’m unable to con- As many of you are aware, 2014 but, maybe something like a point to the nature of pornography, would to watch some. Also, closing o your ceptualise the practicalities or the heralded the coming of virtual re- of view that fully immerses you, not a VR experience be something that surroundings could be a very dan- nature in which this would be a pre- ality (VR) technology with the de- just a screen, is something that could enhances or makes the experience a gerous thing, especially if you don’t ferred option to what already exists. velopments with the Occulus Rift, come to fruition. With this style of better one and I’m inclined to say no. live alone. Just imagine if your house- Instead, I think many will be holding which hasn’t been heard from since pornography already in production, With the focus on one person and the mate, or worse, a parent walks in and out for those pleasure domes or may- its acquisition by Facebook, and the the only question to ask is how di - need to explore the environment not sees you mid-session and you’re be something a little more real. Morpheus project by Sony. Although cult would it be to produce this style? essential or even possibly desired, blissfully unaware until that frightful

DATING SIMS: YAY OR NAY?

by IDA VÄISÄNEN of them went by the name of Pach- character ‘princess’), but the stories sics with unspeakably lthy titles and games o ered an illusion of dialogue tesis, who would post her games in are still original and the artwork is moved on only to feature parodies and interactivity. Still it was perfectly et’s see, you’re fourteen. Nobody DeviantArt. Her games were original, still good. If you’re into games that of Dating Sims, which is kind of a safe physically and mentally (when understands you, because you well-drawn and romantic, and didn’t concentrate on relationships and shame. Ridiculed or not, they’re not your heart is oh so very fragile, you Lare so much more mature than include sex. For a 14-year old girl backstories, rather than shooting all bad. Like all games, they share can always get your happy ending your peers and at the same time you those games o ered a very pleasant and solving puzzles, give them a try. some sort of purpose of entertain- with a wedding). Thinking about it are the most hormone- lled roman- option of a pastime and an alterna- What people usually say out of Dat- ment. I think Dating Sims can have now, playing Dating Sims must’ve tic ever, who just wants someone to tive to those real boys, who were ing Sims rst is that your goal is to a more personal level; you practice stopped me from logging into any whisk you away on a magic carpet. sooooo childish. I recently played have sex with whichever character the idea that, my goodness, there is shady chatrooms in my romantic What do you do? You play Dating through all the Pachtesis’ Dating gets to hold the torch of the desir- someone out there who nds you at- hormone hunger. Maybe the reason Sims. Sims for old times’ sake, and it was able woman/man. (Usually it was a tractive. why I didn’t end up heartbroken, a Even though the craze has clearly still a pleasant experience. Of course woman.) Sure, if you wanted games I think at the end of the day, to me, syphilis carrier or a teenage mother is quietened down, the eld only had a I now realise that the games have with sex in them you could nd them playing Dating Sims was the safest because of Dating Sims. Who knows? few real star players in the day. One their own clichés (of course there has on sites like Newgrounds, which un- form of exploration. At a tender age to be that one guy who calls the main fortunately has removed its old clas- when you are at your most naïve, the IS YIK YAK THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA? by JOE KEEP ave you become bored of Fa- restricting the posts you get to a 10 the new system. cebook and seeing all these mile radius, keeping you up to date Now, I don’t see Yik Yak doing this Hphotos of people’s holidays as with what the users around you think due to the way in which it operates you’re trapped in the library valiantly is the most prominent issue. Howev- by allowing users in the same area to trying to complete your essay or re- er, the guise of anonymity can have interact rather than a mass connec- port? Are you crying out for gossip its negative e ects. tion like Reddit or Twitter, however, it on your social media that no one is Without the ability for anything does mean that you will have some willing to put up fearing the reper- that a user ‘yaks’ to be traced back to ‘interesting’ back and forths on the cussions coming back to them or them, people are more likely to not app, but this doesn’t mean it won’t maybe you are the one that wants to monitor themselves, instead saying be fun for everyone else watching say something and can’t. Well, I have things they normally wouldn’t. This and, if you are involved, you can al- the solution for you, Yik Yak. is an issue that Google ran into when ways step away from it because, like The service o ers anonymity to the they took over YouTube and, in try- the person you’re engaged with, they degree that you don’t even register ing to make people accountable by don’t know who you are, unless you so there is no screen names to even using their real names, started to see mention it and they’re stood right track. It utilities a Reddit style system people stop commenting or making behind you. of up and down voting posts whilst fake Google plus accounts to bypass 34 Seren | April Issue 2015 MUSIC Sexy or sleazy? Seren decides Seren listened to some sexy songs on our sta ’s playlists, carefully analysed the lyrics and then asked: Are they really sexy? Or are they just downright sleazy?

Jem Rihanna Beyoncé Knowles Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa Britney Spears ‘Come On Closer’ ‘S&M’ ‘Partition’ and Pink ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ “Hour after hour of sweet pleasure “Sticks and stones may break my “He popped all my buttons and he ‘Lady Marmalade’ “I'm a slave for you. I cannot hold it After this I guarantee you’ll never bones But chains and whips excite ripped my blouse “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce I cannot control it.” wanna leave” me” He Monica Lewinsky'd all on my soir? / Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” Seren says: Can’t decide! Seren says: Sexy! Seren says: Can’t Decide! gown” Seren says: Sexy! Seren says: Sleazy!

50 Cent, ft. Justin Timberlake Morcheeba ‘Ayo Technology’ Paolo Nutini Christina Aguilera, ft. Redman ‘Slow Down’ “Let's get it poppin' shorty we can ‘Diana’ ‘Dirrty’ “When the day is through switch positions / From the couch to “You o er some love, swifts and Shakira, ft. Wyclef Jean “I need that, uh, to get me o All you got to do is slowdown” the counters in my kitchen” chains ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ Sweatin' until my clothes come o ” Seren says: Sexy! Seren says: Sleazy! Never change you for all the dames” “And everything so unexpected the Seren says: Sleazy! Seren says: Sexy! way you right and left it So you can keep on shaking it” Seren says: Sexy!

Lil' Kim, ft. Sisqó How Many Licks? 50 Cents “Grow some weave with some tissue ‘Candy Shop’ Nicki Minaj and close your eyes / And imagine Ice Cube, ft. Mack 10 and Ms. Toi “I touch the right spot at the right time ‘Anaconda’ your tongue in between my thighs” ‘You Can Do It’ Kelis Lights on or lights o , she like it from “He said he don't like 'em boney, he Seren says: Sleazy! “We be clubbing ‘Milkshake’ behind” want something he can grab” Freaky gyration is close to fornication” “You want me to teach thee Seren says: Sleazy! Seren says: Sleazy! Seren says: Sleazy! Techniques that freaks these boys” Seren says: Can’t decide!

Robin Thickie, ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams Beyoncé Knowles, ft. Jay Z Britney Spears Norah Jones ‘Blurred Lines’ ‘Crazy in Love’ Black Eyed Peas ‘Ooh Ohh Baby’ ‘Turn Me On’ “But you're a good girl! The way you “When you leave I'm begging you not ‘My Humps’ “Touch me and I come alive “After all you’re the one who turns me grab me / Must wanna get nasty, Go to go / Call your name two or three “What you gon’ do with all that junk? I can feel you on my lips o / You’re the only one who can turn ahead, get at me” times in a row” All that junk inside your trunk?” I can feel you deep inside” me back on” Seren says: Sleazy! Seren says: Sexy! Seren says: Sleazy! Seren says: Sexy! Seren says: Sexy! April Issue 2015 | Seren 35 MUSIC Hedd Thomas’ Review: The Foxglove Trio Top 3 Running Tracks - These Gathered Branches If you’re planning to do the Couch by MARTYNA PIĄTKOWSKA cheerfulness, the whole spectrum to 5K Challenge or even next year’s spanning from mystery to pleasant London Marathon, here are Three he British folk scene has just carelessness to playful jumpiness. It Top Tunes to arm yourself with for been brushed up with a won- is di cult to believe that something your next run, as chosen by Seren’s Tderful novelty in the form so beautifully complicated seems so Music Editor. of a debut album. These Gathered smooth and easy. Branches by The Foxglove Trio was These Gathered Branches consists of released this month. twelve tracks, all British folk songs, After the success of their EP Like two of which are sung in Welsh. Diamond Glances in 2013 the band Do not get alarmed if while listen- did not drift into hibernation only to ing to ‘The Three Huntsmen’ you sud- spring These Gathered Branches out denly see yourself marching through of the blue, but have been actively the woods with your knees up high, sharing their music with eager au- or ceremoniously hiking through the diences at gigs across the country, high grass and wild owers of Selar collecting outstanding reviews and Hill during that eponymous track, blossoming into the mature trio that shedding a tear or two over what they are today. has been irrecoverably lost. If while Those who are not yet familiar with listening to ‘Stars and Bells’ you nd The Foxglove Trio do not need to rst your legs swinging from the crescent learn about their pro le in order to moon, do not worry. It happens. appreciate their music. The melody This music is encapsulated by for- 1. Red Hot Chili Peppers - ‘Deep of the voices and accompanying est sounds and a foggy moon. Take it Kick’ from One Hot Minute This harmonies tell unspeakable stories, with you into the dark and rainy Ban- is a great one to start with as you not only about the roots of the folk gor night and let it dissolve in your can warm up while Flea recites his songs recorded but also about the ears into the magic melodies of your strange and wonderful intro. Then, members of the group: F on Mair deepest desires. as soon as he says, “We keep mov- Running for from Llanwddyn, who leads the This is musical wizardry. You will be ing, we keep moving,” you’ll know it’s trio with her voice and also plays enchanted. time to move. And driven by Dave bodhran and whistle; Patrick Dean Navarro’s heavy ri s, move you will! from Wake eld, who packs a punch These Gathered Branches was re- on melodeon and cello; and Cathy leased on 20th April, and is availa- rainforests Mason from Swan- ble at www.thefoxglovetrio.co.uk Seren’s Music Editor ran the Lon- my estimation, has more e ect on sea, whose guitar don Marathon on Sunday. Here, the wild world than almost anything and cello gently he writes about why he did it I can think of.” Even now, my total is oats above it all. and how it went on the day. still shy of the target. After giving in to In London, however, I did meet my this mesmerising by HEDD THOMAS target! I was prepared with a mantra: music, everything “You can do this! You are ready for else is merely com- this!” I don’t know how many times I plementary. n Sunday, months of training Who would not paid o as I ran my rst mara- said that the night before, the morning of and all through the race, but like to get lost in Othon - the Virgin Money Lon- the hypnotising don Marathon. In fact, when I signed it worked. There was a real sense of camaraderie among us charity run- view of a circus per- up for it last summer I hadn’t done former skilfully and any long distance runs before at all. ners. We weren’t competing against each other but had common foes: lightly balancing 2. Femi Kuti - ‘Beng Beng Beng’ Talk about starting in the deep end! It the course and ourselves. Whenever on a tightrope? This from Shoki Shoki The playful percus- all started when a conservation char- I overtook someone who’d burnt out is very much what sion will keep you perfectly in beat ity that I support, World Land Trust, and was walking, I’d try to slap them The Foxglove Trio while the oating saxophone melo- were allocated a place at the Mara- on the back and shout, “You can do serve to their listen- dies will help you feel lighter on your thon and asked for applications to it!” More often than not, they’d shout ers through music feet. Plus whenever Kuti or any of his take it. I entered, stating how much I back, “Thanks!” and actually start run- - the perfect blend backing vocals sing the words “Beng admired the work they do to protect ning again, while my own feet would of melancholy and Beng Beng,” you’ll feel like shooting the rainforests of the world and that feel lighter for a few strides. the air in victory, knowing that you I was looking for a physical challenge The crowd were an enormous help, made the e ort to go for a run and to persuade me to get in shape. To from o ering spirit-lifting high ves that you’re still going! my astonishment, they picked me! I was both nervous and excited, and to energy-boosting sweets and fruit. Dates for your Diary had no idea what the next year of Their constant cheers helped carry training would be like. me on, and I’m sure they were the JAZZ DUB & REGGAE It was a challenge. My willpower reason why I didn’t start to walk once The Smith/Komor/Reynolds Trio Zion Train waned through the winter in terms during the entire 26.2 miles and in Friday 1st May, 8.00 p.m. Saturday 16th May, 7.00 p.m. of keeping to my diet and going out fact kept my pace steady through- @ Teras Lounge, Bangor @ Hendre Hall, Bangor to run in the cold. Even when I got out. The last three miles were excru- £5 for students £10 for all myself dressed, outdoors and mov- ciating, but luckily that’s where the ing, I’d often end up walking. On the crowd were biggest and loudest. I DISCO long runs my thighs would chafe, my nally crossed the line with a time of DJ Dave Hanson feet would blister and my nipples 4:43:41, hand-in-hand - as is the tra- & The Easy Beats UK would bleed. I bought new socks, dition - with a fellow runner. Sunday 3rd May, 8.00 p.m. new shorts and lots of lubricant - an- It was a fantastic day and one that, @ Venue Cymru, Llandudno ything to bring some relief. dare I say, I’d be happy to repeat. In £7.50 for all Fundraising was an equally tough contrast to much in life and aca- challenge. I’d pledged to raise demia, it’s also very refreshing and CLASSICAL 3. Fat Boy Slim - ‘ Ya Mama’ from £1,500, which seemed like a man- ful lling to achieve something that Ensemble Cymru Classical Even- Halfway Between the Gutter and ageable amount back in summer but required pure grit, where no short- ing the Stars Use this track when you it was painfully slow to materialise. cuts, blu ng or b.s. can help. If only Friday 8th May, 8.00 p.m. feel your feel failing and your legs The good work of World Land Trust everything could be like that! @ Teras Lounge, Bangor lagging behind, as there’s noth- was an incentive to get out there and Today, I’m still a little bit o my £5 for students ing better than having someone share the word, as was the promise £1,500 fundraising target. I’d be very shout “Push the tempo!” down your of a certi cate personally signed by grateful if you could help me reach it FOLK eardrums while feeling like there’s their Patron, Sir David Attenborough, and support the worthwhile work of 4Square an avalanche of noise chasing you who has said that “The money that World Land Trust by going to Saturday 9th May, 8.00 p.m. down the street and about to swal- is given to the World Land Trust, in virginmoneygiving.com/HeddThomas. @ Blue Sky Cafe, Bangor low you whole! Thanks! £9 for all 36 Seren | April Issue 2015 BOOKS Literature’s Sexual Blunders LET THESE AUTHORS PHILOSOPHER YOUR STONES, KATNISS YOUR EVERDEENS, WAGE WAR ON YOUR PEACE, SHAKE YOUR SPEARES, BOND YOUR JAMES AND... WELL YOU GET THE IDEA. In a previous issue I celebrated Ben Okri’s The Age of Magic for winning the 2014 Bad Sex in Fiction Award. Bravo! However, I felt it necessary to commend those authors that were perhaps overlooked in the awards and enlighten readers to the calamity of sex scenes that literature has to o er. And yes, these really are published novels! HORMONE MIDDLESEX DESERT GOD THE SNOW QUEEN FACTORY

“My body, like a cathedral, broke “This rippling curtain did not out into ringing. The hunchback cover her breasts which thrust “He thrusts once, cautiously. He “She was as hot as boiling in the belfry had jumped and was their way through it like living thrusts again, and he's gone, he's water in a distillation ask.” swinging madly on the rope.” creatures.” o into the careening nowhere. “ –Saskia Goldschmidt - Je rey Eugenides - Wilbur Smith –Michael Cunningham

(Quasimodo never did it for me but (Perhaps consider a training bra?) (Two whole thrusts?! Lucky girl!) (Science...Made sexy!) I’ll try not to judge!)

DREAMS, DEMONS PEYTON THE FOOD OF KISSING AND DESIRES AMBERG LOVE ENGLAND

“She swung her leg over “She is so small and compact “The thing inside her jerked and “It had been like trying out some him, like a rider swinging thrashed, a rising salmon, strange Japanese cuisine, some- and yet she has all the necessary into a saddle, and galloped.” features ... Shall I compare thee to plunging home to spawn.” thing that wriggled, still alive, in a – Anthony Capella – Wendy Perriam dish.” a Sony Walkman, thou art more – Tama Janowitz compact and more.” – Sean Thomas (Eggs Benedict (YoSushi does have a wide menu…) (I hope stirrups weren’t involved.) (Shakespeare and a will never be the same.) … Sony Walkman?) April Issue 2015 | Seren 37 BOOKS Great Sexpectations WRITER’S COLUMN

by ANNA THERONE We lock eyes. Pupils black and bulging. Iris storms in tepid air. Tension tort. Skin spikes. Lick of the lips. Tension. Tension. Even Time looms slow anticipation. Scents sizzle, tingle; the air breaths and tightens and deepens. Tension. Tension. We come ever closer. by ANONYMOUS sneak a read in public without being caught. of these women have also responded saying Closer. Yet have these women ever questioned how that they would rather read about ctional Slowly. Slowly. o many novels these days are based this a ects their expectations of sex and what sexual encounters than have sex themselves! Tension. Tension. around sex and in particular sex involv- they think ‘sexy’ is? Surely this is not what sex has come to? Senses rise and reach Sing some swooning self-indulgent hero- I can honestly say that the quality of sex in I propose a sex revolution! I’m not at all sug- New heights. ine meeting some sordid guy. To name a few, which I indulge is well above average but gesting that everything in those novels can’t The lips. The lips. there’s Bared To You - Sylvia Day, Adultery - there is still that part of me that craves what spur some inspiration in the sack, far from it, Tension. Tension. Paulo Coelho, Secrets of the Lighthouse - San- I read in those books! That’s what these books but instead of making men feel inadequate Worry and excitement ta Monte ore and of course the notorious 50 aim to do – exploit wildest desires and embel- and setting unrealistic goals for your sex life, Encourage with embrace. Shades of Grey – E. L. James. So I thought it was lish them. And though it makes for a tantalis- in its place indulge in sexual fantasy novels as about time someone stood up for the men in ing read I am left to ask the question: at what a source of inspiration. They aren’t ‘How To Do Then we kiss. this overused cliché. expense? It’ Guides or at all realistic portrayals of eve- Yes, women are constantly pressured to look These books undoubtedly get women going, ryday relationships so don’t take them for set a certain way by those magazines that ash proven by the ‘Fifty Shades Baby Boom’, but in stone – instead appreciate what you have some boob or by the porn industry pushing can men really live to the expectation? I dread and use those novels to spur excitement as a the inexperienced to believe that women will to think of inexperienced men trying to be the shared experience. Not an expectation! Wom- do anything without question and now to top sordid man with a mysterious past that their en still get their fantasy kick and men can stop it we have clichéd erotica and mummy porn wives and girlfriends crave. I dread to think of feeling like they have ridiculous standards to to add to the mix! This in itself is inexcusable. men trying crazy and sometimes degrading live up to. Everybody’s happy. So hoorah for I truly feel for us women. But what about the things that end up with the local re depart- reading sex novels, they can truly open your men?! For years, women have been read- ment in their living rooms. In a recent survey eyes to what is possible but don’t let them ing these books about men with abs of steel, (DottyBingo.com), 43% of women said that dampen your reality! You have (or will have) glossy hair, the libido of a God and giant…feet. reading these erotic novels has made their your very own Mr. Grey. You just need to know And with e-readers it has become easier to own sex lives seem routine and boring! Some how to nd him. Nobody Is An Angel Sheepshagger by THE LIFE OF LOVE Not another. Yes another. Greed used to be a sin by JACK UPTON such themes could possibly promote Wales or derous Welsh locals and blind bumbling lambs. you know? relate to S.H.A.G. week. Well, it is all captured So did LUST. ith the events of Varsity lling me with through the guise of the anti-hero, Ianto. You are lusting. Bangor pride, and S.H.A.G. (Sexual His struggle through a monstrous childhood WHealth Advice and Guidance) week and oppression of his national and personal Player. Slut. just gone, I took to writing a review of what identity forces us as readers to face morality seemed to me to be the perfect acknowledge- and identity in original and meaningful ways Or are you living? ment of both events; Sheepshagger by Ni- to the extent that we are faced with murder, Society holds no grip on all Gri ths. Not only did the book lure me in crime and the human condition of which vio- you. with promises of Welsh pride, Welsh identity lence, sex and nationality all tie into. It’s awe- You live to feel. and revelations of Wales being a source of in- inspiring. You live to lust. spiration for natural imagery but the deroga- The book dances from crude humour to tory title ‘Sheepshagger’ speaks worlds of how disturbing trauma, from staggering nature Or is romance worth it? sexual degradation occurs on a daily basis. Or to blunt stoner conversations – a tone only Is monogomy the goal? so I thought. achieved by few authors such as Chuck Palah- I live in love. After a rather traumatic and indulgent after- niuk (Fight Club) or Irvine Welsh (Trainspot- I live life shared. noon of reading the novel, I put the book down ting). And it is with this violent tone that Grif- and was left with the bitter taste of my naïve in- ths’s writing becomes refreshing: we aren’t You long for what I have. spiration in my mouth. Yes, Sheepshagger ful- faced with dry cryptic meaning or meaning- I worry I long for yours. ls overwhelming themes of Welsh pride. Yes, ful dreariness, instead Sheepshagger comes But our pipe dreams are Sheepshagger provides us with Welsh iden- crashing, all guns blazing, and immediately only fed by our scorn for tity in its dialectal verse and rebellion against seeks to disturb us and defy us as readers. You one another. the English invaders. And yes, Sheepshagger cannot help but recoil from the work at times Jealousy. wields a startling and powerful descriptive and it’s in this aspect that it is powerful. That’s a sin too. narrative of Wales’s natural habitat. But boy So yeah…Go Bangor! And I hope S.H.A.G. was I wrong to pick it up on the o -hand that it week was useful and all that. But if you’re look- might be a bit of light reading. Far from it. ing for a light-hearted read to spur on some In fact, the opening pages involve a lamb Welsh pride then perhaps Sheepshagger is not with no eyes stumbling towards us in a night- for you. On the other hand, if you are looking marish fashion, outlandish violent fantasies for a confrontational, morally-imbalanced and and rather primordial descriptions of a Welsh thought provoking read then this is your book! native - As you may have guessed, this is a Now you’ll have to excuse me whilst I try to book of disturbing and thought-provoking recover from recurring nightmares about mur- heights. And you might be wondering how 38 Seren | April Issue 2015 ARTS AND CULTURE BOOBIES THROUGH

THE AGES by HEDDWEN CREANEY

Pre-Historic Greek Medieval

NAMED the ‘Venus of Willendorf’, this sculpture of the female SEVERAL thousand years later, Aphrodite of Melos, better know THE medieval period loves the mix of intricate, rich patterns and form was found in 1908 near Willendorf in Austria. Carved from as the Venus de Milo, was created. Made sometime between 130 the downright weird. is image is from part of a Gloss, which is oolitic limestone and coloured with red ochre, the piece has and 150 BC, it is interesting that this depiction of the Greek God the additional images and words on a medieval text. It was added in been dated all the way back to 28,000 BC. of love was originally thought to be Venus in 1820 when it was an attempt to further explain the message of the text. Her full form and voluptuousness has been understood to rep- discovered. For example, the Bible. Originally written in Latin, massive line resent fertility and procreation. Another group of thought, how- It is this name that the Milo is better known by, due to some great breaks allowed others to add translations below the line in French ever, is that it acted as a good luck charm. Only 110mm high, it propaganda back in France two-hundred years ago. Having said and then English. is possible that hunters may have carried the Venus for success, that, this mysterious sculpture could also be Artemis, a Danaid, or Here, in an illustration of the birth of Caesar created around 1400, but also to remind them of the women they were to return to. the sea-goddess Amphitrite. the scene does not glorify birth, but tries to address the pain in The lack of facial features suggests that it was symbolic instead However, many have refuted these other possible identities, child-birth. of being a depiction of a person. pointing out her feminine curves and arguing there is no denying Cesarean sections were fatal for the mother but, o en, so was Was it a deity, part of a religious construction, and earth god- she is the ruler of love. childbirth. At this time, the church began to be encourage midwives dess, or a sign of the esteem women may have held in former to cut out living infants once their mothers died, so they could be societies due to their childbearing abilities? All we know for sure baptized before they died. is that she’d struggle to nd a comfortable bikini top this sum- Myths surrounding child bearing included the idea that the womb mer. was divided into sacks, and, depending on which sack the sperm landed in, you got a boy or a girl. If it landed in two sacks, you got twins!

17th Century Victorian 20th Century

PETER Paul Rubens painted this Venus and Adonis in mid-1630, THIS is St Elizabeth of Hungary’s Great Act of Renunciation, PAINTING this in 1907 in New York, Picasso places the woman around a decade prior to the English Civil War. painted in 1891 by Phillip Calderon. After her husband’s death and the depiction of the woman side by side. Les Demoiselles Here is Venus with her son, Cupid, trying to entice the very in 1227, Elizabeth entered a covenant. d’Avignon was crafted right at the beginning of his African-in- young and very handsome Adonis. Despite throwing herself at Torn between the physical world and servitude to God, she uenced period (shortly before the bane of GCSE art students: him to little avail, the Goddess of love is determined to win him went through spiritual crises as she was pressured to renounce Cubism). round. the world and her own children by a domineering monk pressed The faces of the gures on the right resemble tribal masks and In this depiction of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the e ort seems to her. are heavily in uenced by African art. During the early 1900s, Pa- be paying o slightly, though he still has a boar to catch. Here we see her nally submitting her life, her motherhood, risian artists developed Primitivism, completely enamored with Ruben’s trademark has got to be his detail to the female form, and her womanhood to the covenant. The frailty and beauty of the power of the striking masks and art of Africa. which he always ensures is fuller for the long, smooth curves the naked female form shines brightly in the solemn surround- With nude tones, the painting is full of esh and joy for the that make his work so pleasing and balanced for the eye. ings. Her pert boobies suggest youthfulness, which is tied to in- female form, and so Picasso uses the soft, naked body of the nocence. Despite using an angel that does not display a lady’s female to delve into a new, quite aggressive, powerful artistic curviest bits, this painting still very much embraces the soft lines style. An interesting mix of boobies there I think. of womanhood. I’m sure she was a great nun. April Issue 2015 | Seren 39 ARTS AND CULTURE SONY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2015

by ELEANOR HIRST clearly why it is named so ominously. it, are found in this region of Italy. Ramil Gilvanov was another gallery pram, or the mother playing with the The photos document what Troilo One photo that particularly drew I found particularly striking, detail- cat. They are perfectly framed, ap- he Sony World Photography describes as ‘the dark heart of Eu- my attention was the photo of a na- ing the domestic life of modern day pealing to the minimalists out there. Awards is one of the most pres- rope’, a bleak part of Italy where ked man being medically examined, Russia. Gilvanov’s gallery, titled ‘Cat Photography is a matter of person- Ttigious award ceremonies for literally ‘anything goes’. The rising whilst the faces of naked women, Mothers’, won third place in the Life- al opinion and how photos engage photography around. The awards unemployment, the increasing im- looking almost angelic, gaze upon style category of the awards. It de- with their gazers is entirely subjec- are separated into di erent catego- migration, and what Troilo docu- him. This picture settles more closely tailed female domestic family life in tive. The photos that won this year ries. ments as a regression to the dark with how we picture the 16th cen- modern day Russia, with their family are, in my opinion, not as challeng- Giovanni Troilo remains one of the ages of Europe show photos that tury , through the dress of these in- cat making frequent appearances. ing as previous years in the way in strangest galleries in the exhibition, describe the most natural instincts dividuals. Another picture details a What makes the images so striking which you are shocked by them. winning rst place in the People of everyday human existence, in the woman cradling her knees in a cage, is the simplistic, minimalist style to category with La Ville Noire, which strangest way possible. ‘Perverse and what we are supposed to make them. Your eyes are drawn to one translates as ‘The Black Town’. From and sick sex acts’, racial hatred, and of this picture and its conditions are speci c point in the photo, whether gazing upon the photos, one notices neurotic obesity, as Troilo describes left entirely to the onlooker. it’s a small child playing with her

REVIEW: The Globe Theatre’s Romeo & Juliet by CLAIRE BENNETT Having had the privilege to experi- Lawrence and Benvolio. Juliet looked as if she was wearing their bodies. Therefore my one criti- ence productions in Shakespeare’s In particular Kanji’s interpretation her grandmother’s nighty. The bare cism would be that something so vis- can’t say that I expected to see Globe and armed with the knowl- of a severely hungover Benvolio fol- chests of the male actors became ually obvious within the production the most famous ‘star-cross’d’ lov- edge that this particular show was a lowing the Capulet party produced more of a distraction… and not re- should have been clearly explained Iers kill themselves then get up touring production from the Globe a highly comical element to the play. ally for the right reasons. The uncom- as I was continually distracted by for a song and dance immediately itself, my expectations were high. I Similarly, Ste an Donnelly’s interpre- fortably slender frame of Donnelly as trying to understand this costume afterwards. It was however an enter- was thankfully not disappointed. tations of the prince and Mercutio Mercutio made Valentine’s Romeo choice. taining conclusion to Shakespeare’s This stripped-down version of the were genius as he seemed born to look comically short and podgy. An I wholeheartedly recommend most famous tragic love story. play exaggerates the importance of play the teasing and charismatic role image that one wouldn’t normally watching any Shakespeare adapta- Having only bought the tickets for successfully engaging the audience. of Mercutio. Additionally, the two associate with the characterisation tion performed by the Globe Theatre this touring production of Romeo The casting for this play was excep- lead roles are beautifully portrayed of Romeo. as you are guaranteed quality in the and Juliet as a means to ll an even- tional as each actor embraced their by Samuel Valentine and Cassie Lay- It was also confusing as to why all cast and authenticity of the set. This ing over the Easter break, I can’t say roles with convincing enthusiasm. ton as the on-stage chemistry is eas- of the actors were covered in fake particular performance of Romeo I was particularly enthusiastic about The performance consisted of only ily identi ed between the two. tattoos. At rst I thought it was a and Juliet is touring from 27th April going. I was in fact pleasantly sur- eight actors which meant a number The production exhibited a typical clever way to distinguish between to 8th May and is a must-see for any prised at how much I enjoyed this of them were required to play mul- Elizabethan-style booth stage and the Montagues and the Capulets, theatre or literature lover. production as it presented a success- tiple roles. This was extremely com- minimal props. Even the costumes however this was not the case as ful balance of comedic and tragic mendable in the demanding char- were stripped back as the male per- almost all the characters shared the elements. acter changes of Tom Kanji as Friar formers were frequently topless and image of a swallow somewhere on 40 Seren | April Issue 2015 CREATIVE CORNER Kit Heeley

Joe Smith

Eleanor Randall

Eleanor Hirst

Jack Upton Jack Upton April Issue 2015 | Seren 41 CREATIVE CORNER PORTRAIT OF A Y.A. HEROINE, EIGHTEEN

by KATE BENN

She’s constructed of ighty smiles and bits of coloured ribbon and the too-sweet smell of cheap, oral shampoo. Of scattered leaves and frothy, amorphous tulle and spring days on the edge of oppressive summer. She is made of stories. Other people’s stories sewn hastily together with yellow stitching, or maybe Kit Heeley sometimes with blue. She is happy. Always happy. She sings. And she talks, non-stop. She’s an eighteen- year-old nostalgia trip, who makes you feel good because of the way she helps you remember the person you were when you were, say, eight years old. You’ll learn that too late, though, you with your carefully disa ected expression and you’re badly cut hair, that you’re only seeing what you want to see. When she calls you in the middle of the night to “chat”, you won’t consider that maybe she needs to hear your voice to hold back the rising, opaque tide of panic looming over her. When she disappears from your life for days on end, you’ll call it mysteri- LJ Taylor ous. When she laughs louder than everyone else, it won’t enter your head that she’s trying to ll a void.

You’d call her childish, but you have to admit it’s kind of cute. It’s not cute. It’s symptomatic.

No one would blame you. It’s easy, after all, to substitute “erratic” with “spontaneous”, “”avoid- ant” with “always smiling”, “brim-full of terror and self-loathing “ with “kind of intense”. She’s an artistic type. It’s an easy, easy mistake to make.

Fancy showing o your creativity to the world - okay, maybe just Bangor - get in touch with us: [email protected] LJ Taylor 42 Seren | April Issue 2015 FASHION Have trans people been given their rightful vogue?

by HARRISON ALDERMAN that gender is more than binary is women are still unable to go to work tion, it is one of the best I’ve read. For be decided on a whim. You only need working its way into popular culture, every day in clothes they feel com- once, an article that uses the correct to glance at the comment sections of ndreja Pejic is the rst with celebrities like Ruby Rose and La fortable in. This is not a turning point. pronouns all of the way through and any online article that dares to men- transgender model to be pro- Roux discussing their gender identi- This is a step in the right direction, doesn’t use the dreaded phrase ‘born tion trans people, and you’ll see what A led in Vogue. The 23 year old ties in the media, talking about not no doubt about that, but it is not a boy’ that Laverne Cox, transgender so many people still think of us. Even Serbian model, who until 2014 lived, being a man or a woman. enough to be a turning point. Until actress and activist, has spoken out the article about Andreja has drawn in her own words, ‘in between gen- But how much of the androgynous major chains start stocking clothing against. But this is one good article comments like “I’m glad I cancelled ders’, recently came out as trans. But fashion seen on the catwalk trickles designed for a wider range of bod- among so many that still treat trans my subscription”, as well as others of is this really a breakthrough for trans down into our society? How many ies, until said clothing ceases to be people - trans women especially - as a less pleasant nature. fashion? people understand the concept of unnecessarily gendered, until trans a novelty item to be laughed at. If we consider this a turning point, Androgynous fashion is ‘in’ at the non-binary gender, or even of binary people can go out wearing certain Whether or not we should be de- we’re giving up. Trans people, in all moment. Clothes have seemingly transgender identities? Honestly, the clothing without fear of repercus- nied essential medical treatments is areas of life, deserve better than this, become less gendered in certain ar- answer: not enough. Andreja Pejic sions, this is still an uphill battle. still being discussed in opinion polls and it’s going to be an uphill battle. eas, with women in suits and men in may be able to walk down the cat- To be fair to Alice Gregory, the cis- on major newspaper web pages, as if leggings and skinny jeans. The idea walk as a woman, but too many trans gender writer of the article in ques- basic human rights are something to HOMOPHOBIA IN FASHION by CLAIRE BENNETT it suggests that gay people dress a certain way. ince the controversy of the One of the last places many peo- comments involving Dolce and ple would expect to experience SGabbana - who recently stated homophobia would be the fashion that “the only family is the tradi- industry. However, there is still a lot tional one” - tension has been rising of homophobic rhetoric in society. in fashion. This has sent shockwaves This is still present in designers and throughout the fashion industry, as fashion houses such as Armani, who the likes of Elton John encouraged a still encourage basic and outdated boycott of the famous brand follow- assumptions as they attempt to pro- ing the comments. mote a fantasy of masculinity. Just when you think famous faces Recently, young male model Marc in the fashion industry should have Sebastian Faiella opened up about learned their lesson from voicing his experiences in the fashion world personal opinions publicly, Giorgio as a gay representative. In an inter- Armani decides to wade in with in- view with i-D Magazine, he tells the furiatingly degrading comments. The story of how his original agency de- leather-faced designer was quoted in manded he create an ideal image The Sunday Times having said “a ho- of himself according to what other mosexual man is a man 100 per cent. casting agents might want. This was He does not need to dress homosex- to mimic a “bad-boy” heterosexual ual…a man has to be a man”. image preferred by individuals such Not surprisingly this sparked out- as Giorgio Armani. rage as Armani’s comments highlight Being a representative of the ho- the damaging association of homo- mosexual community within fash- sexuality and femininity which has ion it is important to models such as created a stereotype that gay men Faiella; to stay true to yourself as an individual is crucial. There is no ho- struggle to shake o . These recent mosexual way to dress, there is just comments from such a high-pro le being yourself. Armani’s comments individual in the fashion world indi- show that there are still problems cates the ignorance that is surpris- with equality concerning the homo- ingly still found within fashion as sexual community. April Issue 2015 | Seren 43 FASHION A very condensed version of history through your clothes by ELEANOR HIRST the methods to spin this form of cot- did have political issues. John Gower three piece suit has become a stand- for dresses and skirts in post-war hen you look into it, the po- ton still remain today. The process of criticised the ‘arrogant’ man who ard part of many men’s wardrobes in Britain: the circle skirt. It signi ed litical and social resonances making silk developed in this period wished to dawn himself in showy the modern world and it all strook class and what everything a woman Wthat clothes can have is both as well, through a process of reeling. and beautiful clothes, linking to the from one exiled 17th century catho- would want hypothetically, accord- fascinating, and often overlooked. Umbrellas were a signi er of rank. If Christian thinking of the period. lic. Mr. Samuel Pepys described how ing to the housewife ideology of This is not something I am particularly complaining about, because you were especially suave (to use a Chaucer has also been known to ‘The king hath yesterday in Council the fties for women. However the frankly, making people aware of modern phrase), you found your ear- criticise the clothing of individuals. declared his resolution of setting skirt was a controversy. Women of- the political reasons for their cloth- rings were made of Ivory. Indian men Richard II was criticised for dawning a fashion for clothes, which he will ten had to make their own clothes, ing would complicate our political were also known to dye their beards, himself in gold and pearls at the end never alter.” It became a mark of but circle skirts required more mate- awareness on a whole new level. red, dark blue, purple and others of the fourteenth century, described English identity for the gentleman rial than was given in rationing. The This would result in us replicating green. as pretentious and displaying an ex- to own a three piece suit, and still to skirt became a mark of controversy Neolithic attitudes to clothes, es- Now we switch to a thousand years cessive amount of pride. this day, it remains so. politically, rather than conformity sentially adopting a #noclothes and later to the dress and textiles of Me- We then move on to the case of Post world war two further span to housewife ideology, and women #nopants attitude to everyday living. dieval Britain (13th-15th Century). Charles II, who designed one of the a huge wave in women’s fashion. made these skirts with extra material If you don’t want to see your lecturers teaching you naked, do not take Medieval political thought was very rst three piece suits. The surcoat The 20th century can safely be de- than they were supposed to. this article more seriously than it is. much entwined with textiles and (top coat) was worn loose over a scribed as one of the biggest moves Fashion has never simply been clothing, linking to the 12 Aristote- vest (waistcoat) with pantaloons in women’s fashion, hemlines were locked in an isolated bubble, and it Let’s start in the not-so-far conti- is interesting to actually account his- nent of India. The beginnings of the lian virtues (if you are familiar with underneath. It started one of the shortened and women’s rights dra- them). Whilst colours such as dark most standard fashions of the 18th matically improved with the intro- torically how clothing has political cotton trade began in the 5th centu- and social signi cance. ry, a well developed industry where purple and crimson were associated century, which later developed into duction of votes for women. Dior with higher wealth, these colours trousers in the 19th century. The created one of the most aspired cuts Plus sizes: keep or drop? #DropThePlus #KeepThePlus by CLAIRE BENNETT by HELLA WALES f you’re not a size 10 or lower, then you deserve lus-sized clothing is described as sizes 12 the “plus size” classi cation. This is the percep- and upwards. Considering that the UK na- Ition of many in the fashion industry. Ptional average is a 16, a lot of people are Should a minority of women above a certain size understandably beginning to weigh in (if you par- really be de ned as plus size in the modelling in- don the pun) on the issue. dustry? In the modelling world, plus size tends to I came across one article where the writer la- start from UK size 10, as opposed to the national ments ‘that the fashion industry likes to forget average which is a 16. that real women exist’ – okay, let me just stop you This labelling of the female body as being some- there. I believe that it is narrow-minded, dam- Being asexual in a how excessive compared to the size 0 insects we aging views like this that are more of a problem are continually forced to compare ourselves is ig- towards shaping our perceptions of ourselves norant, and this representation of women is dam- than ‘plus-sized’ clothing labels. We have all got super-sexual world aging to their self-perception and body image. to come to the realisation that being plus-sized Women of size 10 or more are classi ed as plus is NOT synonymous with being unattractive or by JASPER WILLIAMS and a skinny waist, adds to this, and size because they are in a size bracket that con- undesirable, and, similarly, that those who wear this pornography advertisement is sists of a double gure number. smaller sizes are not ‘real women’ and ‘less fun’ passed o as modelling. ype female models into Google It’s unfair to classify a healthy female gure as than their curvier counterparts. Watching my female friends con- and images of women in nude being in some way in excess compared to the As a size 16 myself, I would be considered plus- form to this nature of fashion, I then and inviting poses come up. slender frames that dominate the modelling in- sized – and I’m okay with that. I’m aware that my T see them being preyed on by the Type male models into Google and dustry. Should models such as Robyn Lawley re- body shape is usually not re ected on the run- “male predator”, as they are reduced you get men with six packs and erect ally be considered plus size because she’s a size ways or usually in mind when designers are creat- to objecti cation and endless slut boxers. Without a doubt, fashion in 12? It’s shocking that brands attach such negative ing haute couture fashion – but I’ve realised that shaming. This then leads them to be the Western world is overly sexual- perceptions of women who exhibit true represen- the clothing label that I wear should in no way dic- pressured into sexual acts, which, if ised. This isn’t just my usual feminist tations of the average woman. tate how I feel about my body or be a measure of conforming to, leads the victim to be rant, although I de nitely believe Lawley is two sizes below the national average my con dence or my self-esteem. a “whore”, but rejection leads to be- the core of this comes from from and is still categorised as a larger woman in the Say it with me now: “plus-size does not equal un- ing a “prude”. the patriarchal world of sexism that fashion industry. She has previously commented desirable!” Rejecting the ideas of gender perceives what counts and dismisses on this branding of her as plus size saying “it’s de- That’s why I believe that we should #keepthe- conformity - especially in regards female body beauti cation. rogatory – it’s a label”. Other famous faces such as plus – because it is our attitudes towards our bod- to expression for my assumed gen- So how is this di erent for me? Kelly Brook, who is known for aunting her size ies that needs to be revolutionised, not the way der - and not wanting to engage in Because I’m asexual. Asexuality is 10 gure, has faced criticism from the likes of Ka- that our clothes are labelled. any sexual acts leaves me in a rather the orientation of lacking or having tie Price who was quoted calling Brook a ‘he er’. sticky position. Growing up, I have no sexual attraction. The world is a Comments such as these highlight the ignorance felt awkward being approached scary place, but it’s even scarier be- of the fashion industry. by male specimens, hoping to “get ing asexual and having everything Drop the plus size label and embrace the fact lucky”. thrown down your throat through that these women are healthy. So, why have clothes become so the media. In fashion, all advertise- sexualised? Why are people, especial- ment and modelling is so overly sex- ly on the asexual spectrum, meant to ualised and, being assigned female feel so uncomfortable about it? This at birth, the ultimate pressure by needs to stop. I want to be able to society to conform to this apparent go into a shop and not feel judged norm is simply horrendous. for my gender expression choices. To most of society, this isn’t such I want to be able to walk down the a big deal. For me, it is. It starts with street without being wolf whistled. the fashion designer giving nice, tai- Finally, I do not want to feel uncom- lored suits to the male gender and fortable and awkward about reject- skimpy dresses and other various ing people when they sexualise me items to the female gender. These and try to sleep with me. Let’s stop then get passed on to the shops, gendering clothes. Let’s stop sexu- alising items of material. Let’s make which label the clothes as “super hot society, together, a safer and more lingerie” or “sexy dresses”. The model, comfortable place to be for every- angled to show maximum cleavage one. 44 Seren | April Issue 2015 HEALTH AND BEAUTY Granny Face shape tricks revealed Want cheekbones to rival Kim Kardashian’s? Whatever your face shape, with clever contouring using hair gone powder, you can instantly transform your look. wild! Oval Heart Square Round

You might have the most symmetri- Wider at the forehead with a nar- Square faces tend to be the same Sometimes considered a ‘babyface’ cal face shape, but because it is long row chin, you need to balance the width from cheek to cheek as from because of your fuller cheeks, the key you need to de ne your cheekbones top and bottom of your face so all the forehead to chin. Counteract this by is to make your face appear longer by to add extra depth to your face. attention is on your eyes and cheek- making your face more round. breaking up any roundness. 1. Sweep a highlighting powder bones. 1. Apply the highlighter powder 1. Take the highlighter powder over the top of your cheek- 1. Dust highlighter powder onto above your brows and below and apply it down your nose, bones, underneath your brows the centre of your forehead, your eyes. then do the same on your fore- and across your forehead. between your brows and on 2. Taking the bronze, bu it into head and chin, where the light 2. Apply the bronzer to the hol- your chin to balance out your the four corners of your face as would naturally hit you. lows of your cheeks. features. if you were creating a frame. 2. Using the bronzer, sweep it 3. To add de nition, trace a ‘c’ 2. Sweep the bronzer under- 3. Apply blusher to the apples of around the outside of your by EMILY RIMMER shape across your temple, neath your cheekbones and your cheeks. face to create an instant slim- then round and down under add blusher. ming e ect. ALL over Instagram, women are your cheekbones. 3. Brush some bronzer around 3. For de ned cheeks, use short embracing the ‘granny chic’ look, dy- 4. Apply blusher to the roundest your hairline to slim your fore- upward strokes to apply your ing their hair a silver-grey colour and parts of your cheeks. head. blusher. rocking the look years before their time. Would you dare to go grey at a young age? Bourjois Happy Light Grey hair is o cially on trend with The coolest diet silver hair lovers posing on catwalks Illuminating Primer hat if I told you that you The University of Nottingham has and in front of their bathroom mirror, could shed the pounds by also launched a study into the posi- posting images on social media with Weating an ice-lolly? Well, I tive e ects of ice cream and sorbets the hashtag #grannyhair. say pass me that Calippo! on the good fats in your body and For the younger granny hair trend how they burn through sugars in followers, going grey does take a se- The newest and cheapest diet to hit your bloodstream. rious amount of e ort in the beauty us is the ‘Ice Diet’. Forget about going and purse department, but, for oth- out and trying to search the produce The science behind it looks at the ers, it means breaking away from isle for that exotic vegetable that will fact that your metabolic rate has to your grey covering routine in the hair shape up your body, all you need to get quicker and quicker because salon. Either way, the hair trend is a do is head to your freezer. your body has to use more energy to liberating movement for women, as heat the ice to body temperate for it grey hair is often seen in a less at- No, we are not su ering from brain to be digested. tering light. It gives a chance for freeze - according to scientists, more women to aunt their natural beauty energy is used to digest colder foods Dr Brian Weiner, the ambassador of or break down barriers with the in- than warm ones. It is reckoned that the diet, has even gone so far as to re- tended look. eating a liter of shaved, blocked, or name the frozen calorie count in fro- The trend is said to originate all crushed ice can burn up to 160 cal- zen foods as ‘icals’. Here are some fro- the way back to 2011, where Jean ories - the same amount you burn zen foods that are a perfect student Paul Gaultier’s Autumn/Winter Cat- running a mile! According to nutri- staple to add to your shopping list: walk showed models sporting grey by ELEANOR HIRST tionists, doing this everyday, along bee-hives. Again, this month in Paris, rimers are often a misunder- In this sense, it doesn’t feel like a tra- with eating your regular meals could • Slush Puppies (32 icals) he used silver haired models. How- stood beauty product. Many ditional primer as it is not heavy and make you lose 12 lbs. over a course • Lemonade Ice Lolly (42 icals) ever, the statement to embrace your Psimply skip the process of prim- tacky to the skin. But it still achieves of a year. • Ice Pop ( 0 icals) natural hair and leave it untouched ing the skin before applying founda- the same e ect as a traditional, tacky • Calippo Orange (72 icals) sparked outrage among fashion fans. tion, and to that I shake my head in primer. It makes your skin appear Not saying that you should eat • Margarita (105 icals) But it can’t be all that shocking if disappointment. Primers smoothe ‘glowy’, whilst also making your foun- trays of ice everyday, but instead of • Starbucks Fruit Frappuccino even celebrities are embracing the over your skin and prep it for founda- dation stay on longer. hunting for that sweet craving, head (170 icals) change. Kelly Osborne was the rst tion, and this leads to your founda- to the freezer and you’ll end up con- to step out in this trend back in 2012, tion staying on longer. This may be unsuitable for those suming a lot less calories. paving the way for other celebrities heavy (and messy) club nights, as I such as Lady Gaga, Nicole Richie and The Bourjois illuminating primer, don’t think it would withstand a hot, Rihanna, who all posted silver haired whilst not cheap, is the most e ec- club atmosphere. But all in all this is images on their Instagram pages. tive primer I’ve found. It is great for one of my favourite face primers and This look is de nitely a statement, those windy, cold days, especially if is also part of a range I love called so I advise you to think carefully be- you su er from dehydrated and dry the ‘happy light’ range from bourjois fore trying it yourself. If you decide to skin. It is quite light in formula, a simi- (great for us pale skin gals). go for the look, the key is to make it lar feeling to many skin serums and look fresh with a great haircut so you is quite soothing. As it comes out the Bourjois Illuminating Primer, don’t end up looking like you’ve just tube it is a skin coloured foundation £10.99 (and it is also buy one get given up. but as it is applied to the skin, the se- one half price on Bourjois at Boots at This new trend is a great way to rum changes to a clear substances, the moment.) stand out and looks elegant on most! not leaving any trace on the skin. April Issue 2015 | Seren 45 HEALTH AND BEAUTY Show me your makeup bag freshen up my look. Bene t’s Erase Paste. No other con- cealer has ever measured up! I nd Show me your… it gives really good coverage and night out makeup doesn’t look too obvious. My night-time makeup consists of the same base except I use the Show me your… sculpting palette to fully contour one o piece my face; the palette includes blush, My one o piece is probably my contour powder and highlighting Fuchsia Flash coloursensational lip- powder. Usually for extra drama on a stick from Maybelline. I bought it on night out I’ll do a liquid eyeliner cat a whim one day because the colour eye with Scandal Eyes thick and thin is so vivid! It’s lovely when you want eyeliner from Rimmel as well as a red to be a little more daring in your lip lip. colour or if you want to brighten up your out t and make a statement. I Show me your… only wear it on special occasions, you favorite piece won’t see me rocking up to lectures My favourite piece is probably the with bright pink lips. 24 hour Super Stay lipstick range from Maybelline. I swear by them! Show me your… The colours are great and you don’t what you’ve just bought have to worry about your lipstick I nd that some girls have a kind smearing or coming o during a of makeup they buy for themselves night out. The only problem is if you when they need cheering up. My make a mistake you better act quick housemate’s vice is lipstick, mine’s by EMILY RIMMER Show me your… and order through them (a bit like and x it otherwise you’ll be stuck nail varnish. I recently bought three favourite make up brand Avon). with bad lips all night! I’m currently Rimmel nail varnishes that I’m loving very issue I will take a look in- My favourite brand at the moment loving their red shades. at the moment. The Loafer Love for side friends and readers make- is Tropic Skincare, they do a great Show me your… You and Disco Ball in the I Heart Last- up bags to see what stories lie natural makeup range. I use the Ac- everyday makeup Show me your… ing Finish range and Diamond Dust E tive Botanic Mineral Foundation For everyday I use the foundation within and what they look for when essentials in the Precious Stones. I’m a bit of a buying their makeup. To continue with the Soft Focus Perfecting Pow- and powder from Tropic as well as My major essential is a good mois- sucker for sparkly nail varnishes, my the feature I will take you inside none der as well as their eyebrow palette the brow palette and the blush from turiser. I have really dry skin so I have inner child has never let that one go. I other than the editor of Seren herself, and their sculpting palette. They use the sculpting palette. I usually then to be picky about mine. I currently love Rimmel for nail varnish, they dry Amy Blackwell’s makeup bag and completely natural ingredients and just line my top and bottom lids use Eucerin replenishing face cream. quickly and they’re fairly chip resist- tell you all its secrets. their powder bases are great for dry with everyday pencil eyeliner and It’s pricey but it’s worth it for me! ant. and oily skin! You can buy them on- use Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara. Another absolute essential for me is line or nd your nearest Tropic rep Sometimes I’ll use a mauve lipstick to This month in... When Cosmopolitan try to help in your sex life Racism in Cosmopolitan?

by EMILY RIMMER by EMILY RIMMER e’ve all been there, icking an orgasm and ampli es the feel osmopolitan magazine have magazine. And when you do its to through the pages of Cos- good e ects” I don’t know about recently published a beauty tell us we are ugly…” Another says Wmopolitan magazine se- you but when I have a sneezing t in Cfeature that describes old “Boycott Cosmopolitan. Down right cretly waiting to hit the sex and rela- a lecture it certainly doesn’t bring me make up trends by labelling them disgusting!” tionship section, wanting to spice up feel good e ects! “R.I.P” and comparing them to up- This issue has raised an aching your sex life or your relationship with This one has to be the most absurd, to-date trends, labelling these “Hello point in the publishing world that your other half. But what happens “press a fork into di erent parts of Gorgeous!” But when you look at the we need more diversity on the pages when Cosmopolitan take it too far… his body ( rmly, but don’t break feature and the pictures provided of magazines, which currently have Cosmo has long been known for its the skin)” I like how they have to you see a disturbing pattern emerge. mostly white celebrities or white weird, implausible, and sometimes tell you to not break the skin, like we Every single “Hello Gorgeous!” girl models getting the front covers. This downright ba ing sex advice. You are all murderers or cannibals in the in the example is a white woman, is just one step in recognising the know the ones. The pages lled with bedroom. with the exception of Nicole Richie bigger issue. strange tips for the bedroom and The nal one is just plain stupid who is bi-racial. The “R.I.P” women those exotic sex positions that no and frankly a waste of ice cream. on the other hand, more often than one but an Olympics gymnast could “Feed each other ice cream in the wanted, ended up being a woman of do! Well for nothing but a laugh I dark. Not being able to see means colour. have tracked down the sex advice more spilling, which means more The editor of Cosmopolitan has from Cosmopolitan magazine that licking up the mess” No, it means apologised for any o ense they have amused me the most over the more washing for me cause I’ve got might have caused and stated it was years. ice cream all over my bed sheets. not their intention for women of Have you ever thought what could Cosmopolitan will forever keep us colour to be portrayed this way. But I eat o my boyfriend’s penis? Well, entertained with its bizarre ways of there are way too many examples - if you have, Cosmo has you covered getting us into and running out of 21 in total - for this to be a mistake suggesting you could: “Slip a donut the bedroom. and taken so lightly. around his penis, and slowly and Social media was in uproar of peo- seductively eat it o ”. I love donuts ple expressing their disgust and frus- like the next person but I don’t know tration that, in our world today, we about you but that doesn’t sound too still su er from blatant racism, with appealing to me! many readers saying they are boy- Speaking of literally spicing up cotting the magazine. One woman your love life, one issue actually sug- took to Twitter and wrote “Rare to see gested to “sprinkle a little pepper women of colour in a mainstream under his nose right before he cli- maxes. Sneezing can feel similar to 46 Seren | April Issue 2015 FOOD AND DRINK

SINFULLY SEDUCTIVE BROWNIESby Callum Muirhead

Since it’s the sex edition of Seren, why not try these aphrodisiac- lled dark INGREDIENTS chocolate brownies? Whether you’re making them for someone else or if - 200g salted butter you’re just going to do what I’m going to do (eat them all, alone in your - 320g caster sugar room in the dark, while binge watching Net ix and stalking celebrities on Instagram) these indulgent, gooey delights are simply perfection. - 95g plain our The recipe is fairly easy and quick to make. - 50g cocoa The recipe called for copious amounts of dark chocolate, which is not only - 200g dark chocolate an aphrodisiac but a natural source of endorphins. - 50g plain chocolate Who needs exercise when you can gorge on delicious homemade baked - 150g raspberries goods? It also has raspberries in it so it’s healthy, kind of. - 3 large eggs Why are you even reading this far? Go and make brownies! - A pinch of salt

1. Melt the dark chocolate nd a square tin and ture is mixed pour in the a pinch of salt. and the butter together grease it, while turning cooled chocolate/butter in a large bowl, prefer- the oven to 180°C. mixture. 5. Pour the mixture into ably you can do these in the greased square tin a heatproof bowl over a 3. Mix together the eggs 4. Sieve the our and and then bake for about pan of boiling water. Or and the sugar, because cocoa together over the 40 minutes until the top if your lazy and can’t be of the amount of egg the melted butter and choco- of the brownie mixture bothered waiting like a mixture will not turn u y late mixture and then fold has a shiny surface, and chump for deliciousness, like you would expect in the dries with a metal skewer the brownie 2 put them in a non-metal when making a sponge spoon until they are fully inches from the edge of bowl in the microwave cake. Instead the mixture incorporated and the mix- the tin to if it is dry it is on a low heat and take should have a smooth, ture is thick and smooth. full baked. the mix out every thirty glossy appearance similar Then nally cut up the seconds to check if its to a milkshake. Secondly plain chocolate into small Don’t skewer the middle melted/on re. Then leave the egg sugar mixture pieces, or whatever size as it should be gooey. to cool. should be about double you like it’s your life, then the volume it was before mix in the chopped choc- Leave to cool and cut into 2. While the mixture cools stirring. When the mix- olate and raspberries and squares. April Issue 2015 | Seren 47 FOOD AND DRINK Experimenting with lube Sexy sipping by CALLUM MUIRHEAD by CALLUM MUIRHEAD Myself and a group of taste testers have tried out ve di erent avours of lube and have ranked them according to taste, the wow factor and how sexy they made us feel on a scale of 1-5. If there’s anything I like more than relaxing outside in the sun, it’s relaxing outside in the sun with a drink First on our list is the winner of in my hand. This editions cocktail section has been Peppermint the competition, peppermint. inspired on the sexiest named drinks. Despite their First of all it was one of the namesakes all of these drinks are delicious, refresh- Taste: 4/5 only lubes, which did not have ing and perfect for sharing with friends while we any overlying medicinal tastes Wow: 3/5 and was actually quite refresh- have this amazing weather. ing, which was an unexpected Sexy: 4/5 characteristic for a marital aid. Total: 11/15 In addition to this, peppermint was also rated the sexiest of all Sex on the beach “Oo, it’s quite minty” the lubes, perhaps due to the pleasent tingle of the mint on To make this drink you tongue. need: 1 shot of vodka Our second place holder was 2 shots of peach Schnapps Cherry a mixed bag. For some it was 100ml orange juice their favourite, while others 100ml cranberry juice Taste: 3/5 couldn’t get over how much it 1 tsp lemon juice tasted like cherry cough medi- Wow: 2/5 cine. Either way cherry did This is really easy to make lack the wow factor. Perhaps it and very avoursome, sim- Sexy: 3/5 was due to the generic avour ply mix all of the ingredi- Total: 8/15 relative to exciting once such ents together and mix to as chocolate orange and pas- make sure they’re all blend- “It doesn’t make me sion fruit. Despite this Cherry ed. Then serve the drink feel sexy” is a well-deserved second best over ice in a tall glass. for those of you who can’t handle the mint. Screaming Orgasm Strawberry came in joint sec- Strawberry ond with cherry and was very To make this drink you high in avour, the sweetness need: Taste: 3/5 of strawberry was lovely however the sex appeal of straw- 2 shots of Irish Cream (i.e. Wow: 3/5 berry was lacking. In my opin- Baileys) ion this was simply because 1 shot of Vodka Sexy: 2/5 tasting something that sug- 1 tsp gorund co ee Total: 8/15 ary makes me instantly think of sticky things and of all the To prepare a screaming “It tastes like jam, things I want to feel during orgasm mix the vodka and sex, sticky is not one of them. Irish Cream with the ground that isn’t sensual” until the co ee has been fully dissolved into the mix- Chocolate Orange came in ture. Then serve the drink Chocolate third, although it did have a over crushed ice, this drink chocolate taste to it the ar- has a kick to it and I’d only Orange ti cial avour quickly over- recommend it to co ee powered what was enjoyable lovers. Taste: 2/5 and just left a bad taste in the Bend Over Shirley Wow: 3/5 mouth. Although its taste and sexy appeal were rated low, To make this drink Sexy: 2/5 the chocolate orange was you need: rated highly in the wow fac- Total: 7/15 tor. This was due to its original 1 shot of Vodka and expected avour which 1 shot of Grenadine “It actually tastes like saved it from being the last on Splash Cranberry Juice chocolate” the list. Lemonade Passion Fruit was by far the The Bend Over Shirley is Passion lowest ranking lube on the very easy going due to its list, I had such hopes for this sweetness so I can recom- Fruit lube due to its more exotic mend it to those of you avour and the fact it actu- who aren’t huge drinkers. Taste: 2/5 ally has the word passion in To prepare the Bend Over Shirley simply mix all the Wow: 2/5 the title. However the avour was fairly lacking, and due to alcohol and cranberry juice Sexy: 2/5 the fact it wasn’t as tasty as we and pour into a soda glass were hoping the wow factor half lled with ice. Then top Total: 6/15 went down sharply. Finally the up with lemonade and stir. sex appeal of the passion fruit “It tastes like lube was very lacking without shampoo” avour or the wow factor to back it up. 48 Seren | April Issue 2015 TRAVEL WHAT IS IT LIKE AT DOLLY PARTON’S THEME PARK? by KAYLA JONES a bald eagle sanctuary and a doll shop. Should you wish to put your fu- here is no one who thinks they ture child in a pageant, there is also a are more sexy than Dolly Parton Dolly Dress shop for that as well. Tand her um, ladies. If you’re like The theaters around the theme me, and have grown up with season park give visitors who don’t want tickets to Dolly Parton’s theme park to go 100 miles an hour on a roller from the time you were a toddler, coaster a way to be entertained and Dolly’s face is a regular occurrence have fun. During di erent seasons on billboards, tv commercials and of the year, festivals at Dollywood newspapers. have shows from performers all over In 1986 Dolly bought the theme the world. During Christmas you can park and branded her named on it watch A Christmas Carol with Dolly with the aim to giving back to the as the ghost of Christmas past in the community. “I always thought that form of a real-to-life hologram. if I made it big or got successful at If you are wanting to ride roller what I had started out to do, that I coasters, Dollywood has some im- wanted to come back to my part of pressive ones that are all themed the country and do something great, around the smokey mountains and something that would bring a lot of hillbilly life. Roller coasters are called jobs into this area,” she said. the “Mystery Mine,” “Blazing Fury,” the And boy, when you go to Dolly- “Tennessee Tornado,” and the “Wild wood can you tell that Dolly Parton Eagle.” The latest ride is a large swing has done well. From daily shows, to called the “Timber Tower,” resembles souvenirs, Dolly is involved in every a log that is being cut down by a lum- aspect of the park. Throughout the berjack and humans are strapped in park there is Dolly memorabilia, you at the top of the ride. can go through her “childhood cab- Nearby, Dolly also owns the Dixie in,” walk through her tour bus and Stampede, a 4 course dinner at- go through the Chasing Rainbows traction show with horses jumping museum that has her elaborate cos- through re and bu alo and oxen tumes, records and wigs. doing tricks. Of course since this is in I remember as a child going to the the heart of the south in Tennessee, Heartsong theater which was just a the audience is divided between the ve minute music video of Dolly on North and the South to see who will the main screen while thunder, but- win the Civil War by the end of the ter ies misty rain and smoke went night. You feast like a king as they bring you drinks out of mason jars What To Expect : all through the seats. Dolly Parton’s - In Dolly’s museum there is a huge epic picture of Dolly Parton, Julie An- music even comes from the rocks all and you stu your face with a turkey leg! drews, Carol Burnett and Oprah Winfrey all doing peace signs in the 80’s. around the park that sing 9 to 5 as Don’t ask how that one was taken. you’re eating candy oss and drink- If you want an explosive taste of the south, combined with Roller coasters ing a slushy. - Dolly Parton has her own shop with clothes selections. Think about any- You can also go through old school- and a water park, Dollywood is the experience for you. Who cares about thing that Judi Dench would wear and then add glitter. Don’t buy anything houses and churches that were from there. brought on the property from the Disneyworld when there is an eclec- tic experience like this to be had hid- local area. If you want to be able to - Most guests dress in bum bags, cowboy hats and sneakers. People over ride your horse around town, you can den away in the Smokey Mountains. Oh and of course there is Dolly to the age of 30 are normally of a larger stature and in motored scooters. Pre- purchase wagons in the Valley Car- pare yourself. riage workshop. There is also glass- go see. How could you forget about Dolly…. works where you can watch crafts- - Dollywood has 2.5 million visitors anually. Tra c to get in is almost 6 miles. man mold vases and sculptures from There are trolleys that pick you up from your car so you don’t have to walk the hot re. 1/4 of a mile. ‘Merica. If you don’t want to walk every- where around the park, you can - Though dogs aren’t allowed in the park, they have their own place to stay. ride the huge steel train that comes A lush dog kennel called Doggywood. through and stops at di erent locations, and you can also watch a - Recently built, the Wild Eage Roller Coaster is the rst winged Roller Coast- gigantic miniature railroad during er in the world. Resembling the wings of an eagle, it ies 21 stories above Christmas time. There is also mining the park. You go so fast...if you heave, it may come up before it comes back for gold, a magic shop, an Elvis shop, down....

- There is not any set times when Dolly will show up at her theme park. She has been known to just pop in and suprise guests waiting for a show! April Issue 2015 | Seren 49 TRAVEL CROSSING THE BORDER INTO NORTH KOREA by BETHAN MAY ace forwards; if you turn shot, and no bombs had gone o , a Sushi bu et and then bus home– palaces and rivers, they introduced around you’ll get shot.” good day all in all! thankfully one of them was half Ko- me to their bars. We drank every “F Reassuring words to hear This trip was one of many organ- rean and so could navigate the Kore- night and stayed up to the early on your summer break. ised by Dankook University, South an signs, otherwise I would probably hours learning their drinking games But there I was, at the de–milita- Korea, in which I was teaching and still be there now trying to ask for di- – the louder they are, the better. rized Zone between North and South studying for the summer. The place- rections and instead telling them my They took me to night clubs – a lot Korea, surrounded by heavily armed ment, organised by Bangor Uni, in- bed was next to the window. of techno music - and we went ‘kara- soldiers both sides of the border. We volved three weeks teaching English Alongside the main trips put on by oking’ at least twice a week (we even were in a straight line, being herded to Korean students, and four weeks the Uni – the DMZ, mud festival (you went to a karaoke room in Gangnam forwards like pigs for the slaughter- studying two subjects of our choice – roll around in mud to music), a tem- and sang Gangnam style!). They were house, but this was for our own pro- so welcoming and friendly, and this tection. was representative of everyone I had “Keep your visitor badges on show; the pleasure of meeting out there. if a soldier thinks you’re an imposter Face forwards; if you The more I learnt about their cul- before I snapped out of doing this. they’ll shoot.” ture, the more of their quirks I was turn around you’ll I signed up for the placement as a And so our badges were pinned introduced to as well. means to an end – I wanted to trav- high on our chest. I had to bite down get shot. A common question to get to know el Asia and thought that this way I the urge to wave it wildly at them to one another is ‘what is your blood could get my ights paid for whilst ensure they saw it, but this would I chose World Religion & Culture and ple stay (where you spend the night type?!’ as they believe your personal- adding a bit more experience to my probably (de nitely) have done more Beginner’s Korean. in a temple as a monk) - there were ity is determined by it. CV - but in the end it was Korea and harm than good. The teachers for Beginner’s Korean also a lot of classes – Korean Dance, They have rice for breakfast and the placement that made my sum- And then we were lead into North spoke no English and so to this day I which involved a lot of clapping and share all their evening meals, split- mer so amazing. Korea. still have no idea what I learnt during skipping, Fan and Mask making and a ting the bill even if someone had I miss Korea every day and have My Facebook status from the day that month – something about the lot, lot more! They ensured it was an an extra shot of soju, or one less wild plans of somehow making my ‘Just nipped over to North Korea’ was furniture in my room, I think. World impossibility to get bored. chicken wing. When they hand you dissertation Korea-based so I have an perhaps a little misleading – I had a Religion & Culture, although duller The students that I’d met whilst something, they only extend one excuse to go back asap and have my multitude of comments and mes- than I had hoped – three hour lec- teaching English also made it their hand, and the other hand holds the McDonald’s delivered straight to my sages asking HOW? But alas I was not tures!?- involved eld trips to various duty to show me as much of Ko- extended arm – for politeness. They door (yes, that is a thing over there – spending a lovely day sightseeing Buddhist Temples. rea and their culture as they could also bow their heads in greeting. Af- have a good trip!) statues of Kim Jong - Un as everyone Buddhism is the main religion in and so alongside the temples and ter I came home it took me months assumed, instead I spent ve min- Korea so there were a lot! The tem- utes in a room used for negotiations ples were gorgeous colours – bright which was half North Korea and half blues, reds and oranges. In each South Korea. there were golden statues and fresh But still, it was North Korea! After owers covering the surfaces. The the 30 of us had all taken pictures roofs curved and the detail in the fur- And then we were lead into North Korea with the guards on the North Korean nishings was exquisite. side we were lead back, single le On one of those eld trips me and into the waiting coach, and only then two others got ‘cocky’, wandered o , could we all breathe a sigh of relief got lost, and eventually decided in- - we had survived! None of us were stead to get an All – You – Can – Eat 50 Seren | April Issue 2015 WHAT’S ON 1 2 BBQ May HARRY POTTER TREASURE HUNT 6:30 PM 2015 THE HARP 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 PSYCH SOC CONCERT BANGOR UNI AU DINNER AUTISM PSYCH BEDS: THE BEDS: THE BAND MAY CONCERT GALA CAFE 3PM LADY KILLERS LADY KILLERS CONCERT 7:30PM WHELDON JP HALL JP HALL 4:30PM PJ HALL LR1

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 BEDS: THE LADY KILLERS JP HALL

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

BEDS: BEDS: SODA SHOW CORIOLANUS CORIOLANUS JP HALL JP HALL

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SUMMER BALL ROSTRA BLACKADDER ROSTRA BLACKADDER

31 WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

ROSTRA BLACKADDER OLD BOYS WEEKEND EXAM PERIOD: 2ND 3RD MAY 10TH 27TH MAY

Like our new page: facebook.com/BangorSeren April Issue 2015 | Seren 51

THE SEREN CROSSWORD

Across 1. Bangor professor crushes ... myths. 2. ... and Juliet 3. Check out Vincent ...’s interview on the TV page! 4. e ... food shop 5. #Keepthe... 6. ... and the Blind forest

Down 1. is team just won men’s 1sts, 2nds and women’s 1sts! 2. Remember ... sims? 3. Take a trip to ... 4. Is the media too ... ? 5. Fashion pages SUDOKU! EASY BEFORE AFTER

HARD

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Look at the ‘identical’ photos of some of our team at the society awards, can you nd the ve di erences?

April Issue 2015 | Seren 53 SPORT Men’s Basketball can’t catch Aber

unfortunately the hype of the game strong Aber side, that made Bangor shooting improved. Shutting out Aber 15. Going into the fourth and nal by SCOTT WILLEY seemed to get to them. pay for their mistakes. for over 8 minutes of the quarter, Ban- quarter it was all to play for. e game started scrappy, with Bangor’s points mainly came from gor closed the gap to only 9 points. e Unfortunately Bangor tired and Aber ooking to avenge last year’s 1 points being exchanged by both teams their own free-throws or counter at- crowd getting well behind the Badgers, rallied, pulling away with improved point defeat, Bangor struggled inside the rst few minutes. e away tacks, but they could have had more Aber started to feel the pressure and shooting. Bangor couldn’t catch the to start ring in front of a strong team started to pull away however, points early on with sloppy passing let- wasted crucial chances including two away side, their lead in the rst-half Lhome crowd at Canolfan Brailsford. with Bangor giving away multiple free- ting them down. Going into half-time free-throws without a score and an un- too much, with the nal score Bangor e club had roped a DJ in to build- throws throughout the rst half. e Bangor trailed 25-47. marked shot for 2 points. Aber even- 52 – 64 Aber. up the pre-match hype and announce home side also struggled to reclaim As the second-half began, Bangor’s tually scored, but their score for the their roster ahead of the tip-o but rebounds against a tall and physically defence was rejuvenated and their quarter was only 2 points to Bangor’s Varsity 2015 Results Archery Cheerleading Golf Netball 1st Squash Men 3 - 2 0 - 3 2.5 - 5.5 20 - 46 4 - 1 Athletics Climbing (Indoor) Hockey Men 1st Netball 2nd Swimming 138 - 115 1 - 0 4 - 2 27 - 25 60 - 27.5 American Football Cricket (Outdoor) Hockey Men 2nd Octopush Table Tennis 14 - 22 (AET) 0 - 0 0 (4) - 0 (5) 0 - 15 17 - 0 Badminton Men 2nd Dance Hockey Women 1st Riding Tennis Men 8 - 0 680.5 - 782 2 - 0 1 - 0 8 - 2 Badminton Women 1st Fencing Men Hockey Women 2nd Rowing (Indoor) Tennis Women 5 - 3 108 - 135 3 - 0 1 - 0 5 -3 Badminton Men 1st Fencing Women Lacrosse Men Rugby Union Men Triathlon 5 - 3 134 - 97 12 - 9 1 - 0 1-0 Basketball Men Football Women 1st Lacrosse Women Rugby Union Women Ultimate Frisbee Mixed 52 - 64 3 - 1 11 - 5 19 - 25 17 - 2 Basketball Women Football Men 1st Mountain Biking Sailing Water Polo Men 64 - 29 2 (4) - 2 (3) 1-0 1 - 0 0 - 20 54 Seren | April Issue 2015 SPORT Netball: a tale of two matches for til the end of the rst quarter, with the by IDA VÄISÄNEN score even at 9-9. e home team took the lead just be- ntering Varsity a er their re- fore the end of the second quarter to cent form showing four losses make the score 16-14. Bangor extend- in their last ve, Bangor Netball ed their lead in the third and fourth 1stsE were up against it against Aber- quarters, and were leading 23-18 as ystwyth. However, they scored the only a few minutes remained of the rst point of the game against a strong match. However, an adrenaline fuelled Aber side who came into the game nal spurt saw them bring the game to with three wins in their last ve. within two points. However, Bangor Aber’s dominance began to show in held on to win 27-25 and gain a vital the game, and the rst quarter ended point for the home university. 6-10. Into the second quarter, Aber A er the game the Bangor 2nd’s kept the distance between the two team captain Hannah Prince com- sides, with the score rising 11-24 by mented: “It’s an awesome feeling. We the end of the quarter. Come the end have closely lost in the past, so it’s the of the third break, Aber had extend- best feeling.” ed their lead to 18-33 and were now clearly leading, despite the growing home support in Canolfan Brailsford’s Dome. In the fourth and nal quarter, Ban- gor pushed hard to close the gap, but Aber’s early dominance was too much for the home side, with the nal score at 20-46. A er the game, Bangor’s Club Cap- tain Rebecca Semple, and team captain Sophie Coulson team commented: “It was a good game, everyone fought hard. We’ll get them next year!” eir Aber counterpart, Sophie said “It was a tough game, but we’re very proud of ourselves”. Next up in the dome was the netball 2nd’s, who narrowly lost in the reverse xture last season. Bangor’s Netball 2nd’s entered this year’s Varsity with a track record of one victory in the last ve years, which came in 2013. However, with home advantage Bangor looked to overturn the statistics. Aber took the lead early on, but Ban- gor replied almost immediately. is back and forth scoring continued un- Penalty heartbreak for Men’s Hockey 2nds

4-1 loss at Varsity 2014. Aber built momentum throughout in the second half, as the game became vice-captain Mike Hinchli e amongst by RYAN JONES Aber started the game on top, as the rst half, and they came close to end to end action. e crowd urged the scorers. Unfortunately, Bangor they piled the pressure on the Bangor scoring several times. Tensions rose the teams on, while one player had to were unable to score on their h at- angor came into the game on defence. However, a er a few tactical between the teams as Joe Clapham come o a er sustaining a head injury. tempt, with the captain’s ick saved by the back of good form, having substitutions Bangor became increas- received a yellow card for dissent. Bangor and Aber both came close the Aber goalkeeper. Aber scored their won all ve of their previous ingly dangerous on the counter attack However, this did little to slow Bangor to scoring on a number of occasions, h and nal ick to make the nal Bhome games. ey were also 2nd in and came close to scoring early on as down as they came close to scoring but were unable to break the deadlock score 4-5 on penalties, and give the their BUCS league, so con dence was Freddy Paxton found his way into the just before hal ime, but the score re- in normal time and the game went to home side a heartbreaking defeat. high as they sought revenge for their penalty circle, but was closed down be- mained 0-0. penalty icks. Bangor scored past the fore he was able to shoot on goal. Both teams cranked up the pressure keeper in the rst four icks, with April Issue 2015 | Seren 55 SPORT Women’s Football get rst win of the season

established themselves as the more match, it was Aber’s turn to attack as a freekick just outside the penalty box weren’t happy to sit back and were by RYAN JONES dominant force. Bangor retained the they came close to scoring, with the resulted in a scramble in front of goal. hungry for more goals. However, this ball well in the nal third and tested ball hitting the underside of the cross- Bangor were able to thump the ball strategy almost cost them, with goal- omen’s Football entered the goalkeeper on a number of occa- bar. Bangor were able to scramble it into the back of the net for an all im- keeper Keeley Driver coming to the Varsity 2015 on the back sions. clear and keep the score at 0-0. portant equaliser. rescue and making a string of good of some poor form, losing Bangor’s best chance in the opening e score didn’t stay this way for long e second half began with chances saves to keep the home side ahead. theirW last ve games, to put them at half-hour came as they hit the cross- however, with Aber taking the lead for both sides, with the crowd’s en- Bangor scored another towards the the bottom of the BUCS league table. bar before striking the rebound at goal. against the run of play with a curled couragement intensifying as the game end of the game to give them a two- With Aber winning 3-0 in the previous Aber’s keeper did well to save and keep shot into the top right hand corner. progressed. Bangor soon took the lead goal cushion for victory. ey held on, two years at Varsity, the odds seemed her team in contention in the early e home side responded well, put- with an outstanding free kick from and won the game 3-1 to earn them- largely in the away side’s favour. stages. ting pressure on the Aber goal. Ban- distance, which curled past the out- selves their rst win of the season. As the game kicked o , Bangor soon A er defending for much of the gor’s hard work eventually paid o , as stretched Aber goalkeeper. Bangor Women’s Rugby lose in tight game

by STEPHANIE YEABSLEY attack. However, strong defense from full-back saw them the close in on try line for to make the score 5-15. be enough to win the game for Bangor. the home side combined with sloppy Aber’s try line. Despite Bangor’s hard A er half-time Bangor looked a new An injury to scrum-half and club angor University Women’s Rug- passing from Aber, saw Bangor turn work Aber looked by far the dominant side, responding strongly defensively captain Etchells put Bangor at a disad- by team were looking to avenge over the ball just metres from their side, as they scored a breakaway try to all Aber’s attacks. A try for each vantage going into the last few minutes last years 32-0 defeat by a strong own try line. Unfortunately, Bangor against the run of play to make it 0-10, team, including a conversion for the of play. Despite a strong performance, BAberystwyth side going into Varsity couldn’t keep out Aber, who placed the before scoring again almost immedi- home side made the score 12-25. particularly in the second half as they 2015. Bangor went into the game with ball over the whitewash to score the ately a er. With Bangor looking by far the chased the game, Bangor couldn’t a relatively new side, but the team rst points of the game just ve min- Spurred on by the large home crowd, dangerous side and a home crowd at cross the whitewash for a nal time to could be con dent against an Aber utes in. An unconverted kick saw Aber strong attacking plays led by team Treborth getting louder by the minute, snatch the game from Aber, making team that hadn’t won away all season. lead 0-5. captain Abi Lee and club captain Har- a Bangor substitute scored another try the nal score 19-25. A slow start to the game saw Ban- A er the restart, Bangor managed riet Etchells pushed the team close to for following a scrum. Following angor struggle to leave their own half to dominate possession with some Aber’s try line. A er 15 phases and a other completed conversion, the score as Aber continued to dominate the fantastic slow ball work from the for- show of phenomenal strength Bangor’s was poised at 19-25 with only ve wards. A strong run by the Bangor second row nally put the ball over the minutes, meaning a converted try but Bangor University Students’ Union English Language Newspaper @SerenSports SPORT

BANGORclose the gap as the 12pm xtures DEMOLISH n- Northern 2A winners and BUCS matches. e two Hockey clubs wereABER sports adding points for the home side, by SCOTT WILLEY ished, with wins in Men’s Basketball, Northern Conference Cup runners- close to serving up another clean and sealing the Varsity 2015 victory. angor University dominated Men’s Fencing and Octopush. up) with a victory. e Men’s 2nd’s and sweep, but the Men’s 2nd’s heartbreak- e points continued to y in for Varsity 2015, claiming the tro- As the next round of xtures kicked Women’s teams made a clean sweep of ingly lost 4-5 on penalty icks to give Bangor, with Archery, Climbing and phy with a record 28-11 win o , the score was poised at 8-5 to the three victories for the club, pushing Aber another point. Sailing all victorious. Bover rivals Aberystwyth, home university, with American Foot- Bangor ever closer to the nish line. Reports from Llandudno pool con- With the result tied up, athletes and With four sports settled before the ball going into extra-time a er a great Women’s Football claimed victory rmed Bangor’s triumph in the Swim- supporters streamed into the Book main event on Saturday, Bangor held comeback from Bangor Muddogs. for the rst time this academic year ming, but also their heavy loss in the People Stadium (Bangor City FC’s a three point lead. Riding claimed the Unfortunately, Aber (who won their following a tough season, showing the Water Polo. Back at Canolfan Brails- home ground) to watch Men’s Foot- rst points for the winning university, BUCS league) scored in extra time to sheer will and determination of Ban- ford, Rowing and Athletics added to ball take a 2-0 lead. Aber pulled two with Cricket called o due to rain and take the point. However, Bangor heav- gor’s Varsity triumph. the points tally for Bangor, triumphing goals back in the second half follow- Men’s Rugby Union and Mountain yweights Ultimate Frisbee annihilated Women’s Rugby had a tough time over their mid-Wales counterparts. ing a Bangor red-card to take the game Biking being awarded to Bangor by the away team 17-2, and Women’s Bas- against an Aber side who won con- A 17-0 annihilation of Aber’s Table to extra time and eventually penalties. default. ketball (Bangor’s highest ranked BUCS vincingly last year, and the team were Tennis Club pushed the home side’s Bangor’s goalkeeper was the hero, sav- is meant that Bangor needed to team) dominated to add another point within one converted try of victory go- total to 15, putting them ve points ing two Aber e orts to win the game claim a further 17 points to assure vic- to the Bangor total. ing into the nal few minutes. Unfor- from victory with Aber trailing behind 4-3 on penalties. tory. Saturday started strongly, with e Netball 2nd’s game was tense tunately, it was not to be and Aber held with 9 points. e victory in the main event took Bangor’s triathletes dominating their throughout, with the score even for on for another point, although by now Aber started to claw back points, the total score to 28-11, a Varsity re- Aber counterparts. A 1,2,3,4 nish for most of the game before home ad- the overall score was heavily weighted with victories in Dance and Golf, but cord. All that remained was the Vice- Bangor claimed the rst point of the vantage kicked in and Bangor took in Bangor’s favour. Bangor were still dominating overall, Chancellor to award the new Varsity day. victory. At the other side of Canolfan Bangor’s Lacrosse Club added anoth- the score 17-11. trophy to triumphant Athletic Union Aber’s rst point came from their Brailsford, Badminton Men’s 1st’s con- er two points to the total, with good Bangor soon claimed victory with President Nicola Pye. in front of a strong Netball 1sts, whose recent Var- tinued their impressive season (BUCS wins in both the Men’s and Women’s xtures to spare, with all the racquet packed stadium. sity history was strong. Aber started to